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Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation
http://www.archive.org/details/parkcentermuralpOOmere
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Table of Cc
Artist Statement 1
Credits 2
Allen, Barbara (1963) 19
Alpenfels, Anita Waters (1985) 7 A
Banker, Maureen Kacsur (1979) 71
Barber, Madge Wescott Daniels ( 1 920) 29
Barnes, Elizabeth ( 1 960) 90
Barnes, Vanessa Goodman (1988) 99
Bingham, Eliza Turner (1933) 34
Bond, Jenny Taylor ( 1 96 1 ) 91
Brewer, Ellen Dozier (1918) 52
Bridges, Linda McKinnish ( 1 975) 69
Brown, Wilda Eskew ( 1989) 100
Brown, Yvette ( 1 990) 75
Bryan, Anne (1971) 23
Bunting, Joan (1985) 73
Buxton, Elaine ( 1 993) 101
Carter, Carolyn Howard (1973) 68
Cochrane, Betsy Lane (1958) 44
Cooper, Jean Batten (1954) 63
Currin, Margaret Person ( 1 972) 97
Dahle, Anne Clark ( 1 954) 89
Davis, Eleanor Layfield (1932) 54
Davis, Gwendolyn Picklesimer (1962) 1 8
Dawkins, Edna Frances (1937) 14
Decker, Dorothy Home (1938) 59
Denmark, Annie Dove (1908) 4
Dotterer, Elizabeth James (1930) 78
Edinger, Lois ( 1 945) 85
Fantelli, Carol ( 1 977) 49
Fitzgerald, Sue ( 1 952) 43
Friday, Ida Howell (1941) 79
Futrell, Louise (1914) ' 9
Goff, Effie Ray Calhoun Bateman (1937) 38
Goodmon, Barbara ( 1 994) 77
Goodwin, Dorothy Loftin ( 1 947) 87
Grealish, Jeanne ( 1 957) 17
Griggs, Katherine Weede (1963) 46
Grimmer, Mae Frances (1913) 6
Grubbs, Carolyn Barrington ( 1 960) 45
Harrell, Rosalind Knott (1951) 60
Harrill, Laura Weatherspoon ( 1 927) 31
Harris, Bernice Kelly (1913) 7
Haselden, Eliza Lee ( 1 935) 35
Herring, Harriet Laura (1913) 8
High, Nancy Ricker (1962) 93
Hogan, Judith Norman (1993) 102
Hutchinson, Betsy Ward (1989) 50
Jackson, Jean ( 1 975) 24
Johnson, Mary Lynch (1917) 10
Josey Mary Bland (1951) 15
Kirby Ellen (1967) 66
Knight, lone Kemp (1943) 82
Lancaster, Jennie (1971) 47
Lane, Bessie Evans (1911) 5
Lanneau, Sophie Stephens (1902) 28
Laybourne, Roxie Collie (1932) 13
Leavel, Beth (1977) 70
Lemmon, Sarah McCulloh (1991) 51
Maddrey, Mabel Claire Hoggard (1928) 32
Martin, Margaret Craig (1930) 53
Mauney, Virginia "Ginger" (1983) 72
McEnery, Cindy Griffith ( 1 970) 22
McKinley, Rebecca Knott (1951) 61
Melette, Susan Jackson (1942) 39
Mercer, Carolyn Morton (1922) 30
Miller, Elizabeth (1944) 83
Mitchell, Fannie Memory Farmer ( 1 944) 84
Moore, Catherine Elizabeth (1950) 41
Morrison, Margaret Caudle (1935) 36
Murray, Rebecca Jean (1 958) 64
Nicholson, Rachel (1996) 27
Nooe, Mary Watson (1969) 67
Northrup, Mar jorie Joyner (1951) 42
O'Brien, Gail Williams (1965) 65
Parker, Margaret Weatherspoon (1938) 58
Perry, Cleo Glover ( 1 945) 40
Powell, Loleta Kenan ( 1 94 1 ) 80
Rowley, Sarah Cook (1929) 33
Reynolds, Suzanne ( 1 97 1 ) 96
Rich, Michelle (1973) 98
Roach, Betty Jo ( 1 967) 95
Robinson, Carolyn Covington (1 950) 88
Rose, Norma (1936) 57
Rudisill, Joyce Mclntyre ( 1 942) 81
Siddell, Hallie Simpkins (1918) 12
Simmons, Margaret Rymer (1965) 20
Swansea, Charleen ( 1 954) 16
Thanhauser, Lisa Burns (1986) 26
Trible, Phyllis Lou (1954) 62
Vande Kieft, Ruth ( 1 946) 86
Vann,ElizabehRoger(1917) 11
Warwick, Mary Carol (1961) 92
Watts, Sarah Elizabeth Vernon (1934) 56
Webb, Betty (1967) 21
Whitfield, Bertha "Bert" Futrelle (1936) 37
Wilde, Irene Haire(l 905) ...3
Williams, Ellen Barney ( 1 972) 48
Williford, Jo Anne (1975) 25
Winter, Renee (1991) 76
Woods, Ruth Dial (1962) 94
Wooton, Grace Phelps (1934) 55
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"One is o college student normally
for 4 years. The average tenure of a faculty
member is only 10 years; but an alumna is an
alumna for the rest of her life."
-Carlyle Campbell, President of Meredith College
1946-1963
This mural has been created to celebrate and honor the alumnae
of Meredith College. The idea of a mural for Park Center and the
financial support were a gift from the Class of 1997. The aerial
imagery of the campus, being a viewpoint that few ever see, is a visual
metaphor for the numerous contributions and achievements of Meredith
College students throughout its history. Historically women's efforts have
often been undocumented, unheralded and even unnoticed; nevertheless, they
are no less important and remarkable. I wanted to recognize and honor these
women, not only in terms of their career accomplishments but also their volunteer
service to organizations and family issues.
One hundred outstanding alumnae were chosen from nominees to represent all
graduates and to coincide with the 1 999 Centennial events celebrating the opening
of Meredith College in 1 899. The women honored on the mural and in the biographies
represent only a small percentage of Meredith graduates who have made significant
contributions to our communities. We have left room on the walls for the addition of
more alumnae in the future.
The mural represents the feminine perspective on one symbolic level and recognition on
another level. The subtle footprints throughout the mural represent all the students who
have walked on the Meredith Campus for the past 100 years. They were imprinted by
student assistants, alumnae faculty and staff members. The names of the 1 00 alumnae
are interwoven within the campus imagery, just as every student becomes part of the
fabric of the Meredith community, connecting past, present and future. One must make
an effort to look beyond the surface imagery to see that this is actually a tapestry of
"strong-willed, determined, intelligent women who had (and have) dreams, goals, and
a fierce desire for education.'"
The chosen honorees include some alumnae who are well known at Meredith and
many more who have been quietly making a difference in our world behind the
scenes and without previous recognition. The alumnae selected have been
involved in a wide spectrum of careers, volunteer work and religious service. We
hope that the stories of these remarkable women, and those that will be added
in the coming years, will serve as living examples of the unlimited possibilities
open to all present and future students, as well as serve as visual reminders of
the contributions of students who have come before.
Conceptually, the mural recognizes the influential and nurturing role that
Meredith College plays in our lives by creating an educational experience
founded on high standards of excellence within a caring environment. It .
is this campus community depicted in the mural imagery that brings
us all together for a short time, and ultimately unites all alumnae
forever, through one common educational heritage.
'"We were... We ore.. We will be...", II. Merediths Rich Legacy, by
Jean Jackson, Meredith College Founders' Day Speech,
24 February 1 997.
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This mural is the result of the cooperative
and interdisciplinary efforts of many people,
including the whole Class of 1997 who
contributed the idea of a Park Center Mural
and the funding as their Class Gift to
Meredith College. Students and staff from
the disciplines of History, English, Women's
Studies, Art History, Graphics and Studio
Art have also contributed their talents and
many hours of work.
Typography Assistants
Emilie Baker 1999
Kari Becker 1999
Madge Duffey 1999
Patricia Gruenbaum 1999
Amy Patterson 1999
KristinePelzer 1998
Rebecca Tinsley 1998
Tracy Vincent 2000
Drawing Assistants
Ashlynn Browning 2000
Mara Lewis 1998
Meredith Pittman 1999
Rebecca Renn 2000
Researchers and Writers
Shelley Brown 1999
Ashlynn Browning 2000
JuliannaBunn 1999
Laura Burke 2000
Emily Cash 2001
Carrie Coffey 2001
Ashley Cooper 2001
Betty Crenshaw 1998
Karol Diaz 2000
Vivian Furini 2000
Nana Hendricks 1999
Katherine Jones 200 1
Beth Kendall 1999
Lacey Keen 200 1
JanaeLehto 1998
Jenny Mc Williams 2000
Jennifer Patterson
Patricia Rolfson
Amanda Sullivan 1998
Sue Ridge Todd 1959
Editor
Beth Kendall 1999
Copyeditor
Madge Duffey 1 999
Photography
Jane Terry
Framing
Century Framing
Terence FifzSimons
Framework:
Printing
AlphaGraphic
Co-organizers ant
originators of the idee
for the Park Center Mural
Collyn Evans 1 997
Carrie Snider 1 997
Video/muitimedia Assistant
Nina Ashley Farmer 1 999
Mura! Artist, Organizer 3nd Coordinator
Linda Poole FitzSimons, Class of 1 973
Footprints on Mural
Dianne Andrews 1995 Maureen Kacsur Banker 1979 Vanessa Barnes 1988
Amity Brown 1993 Ashlynn Browning 2000 Laura Burke 2000 Janet Cherry 1979
Margaret Clary 1987 Sandra Close 1986 Robin Colby 1981 Betty Crenshaw 1998
Nina Ashley Farmer 1999 Linda FitzSimons 1973 HollyFrigon 1998 Sandra Hanner 1986
Jean Jackson 1975 Donna Jolly 1991 Clela Johnson 1967 Sue Ennis Kearney 1964
Beth Kendall 1999 Teresa Latham 1995 Alma Lane Lee 1988 Mara Lewis 1998
Rose Jones Lippard 1973 Jenny McWilliams 2000 Karen Mitchell 1992
Lisa Fitzsimmons Pearce 1990 Meredith Pittman 1999 Mary Anne Reese 1982
Rebecca Renn 2000 Cathy B. Rodgers 1976 Regina Rowland 1991 Betsy Stewart 1996
Amanda Sullivan 1998 Sue Todd 1959 Alyce Turner 1996 Betty Webb 1967
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Earf/i A^emory: 7"/ie wrinkled earth does not Forget;/
From catacombs of memory/Resounding with
maternal lore/Alert, she hears perpetually/The
cry other firstborn, /And holds within her ancient
heart/The sigil of identity/That every son has
worn/Undaunted by deaths paradigm, /She
guards with mother zeal the track/Each little
shoe has left on time.
The above lines play out the theme of the
Park Center Mural. Written by Irene Haire
Wilde in 1938, the poet's feminine image
evokes a world that is bound by tradition
and history — the idea that each of us, as
daughters, lives on in our own individuality,
even after our time on earth is spent. No act
is insignificant. Each life has a special mark
on time.
Ms. Wilde grew up in Wadesboro, NC, and
was one of the earliest graduates of
Meredith College. She went on to become a
librarian in a Los Angeles high school and a
reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle.
She achieved numerous literary prizes and
contributed to the New York Times, Los
Angeles Times, many magazines, anthologies
and journals. Her collections include Driftwood
Fires and Fire Against the Sky.
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Dr. Denmark's motto in her senior yearbook
was "To reach high, but aim higher." She
truly demonstrated this. Annie was the
first woman to be elected the head of
a college in South Carolina and one
of the first female college presidents
in the country. Her 26-year term as
president of Anderson College
included the Great Depression
years, during which she saved the
college from financial collapse.
She had such faith in the college
that, at the close of the 1931-
32 session, all bills had been
paid and there was a surplus in
the bank amounting to slightly
more than $5,000 to apply to
the school's bills. As a result of
the steady progress made
during her administration, the
college was able to pay off a
long-standing debt in May
1938, marking the beginning
of a new era for the institution.
People in South Carolina credit
Denmark with saving Anderson
College from financial ruin
after assuming its presidency
on New Year's Day, 1928.
Annie truly valued the ideals of a
liberal arts education, Christian
principles and the arts. To that
end she worked diligently. Under
her prudent and skillful guidance,
Anderson College, now a junior
college, has been brought out of
dark uncertainty into the light of a
new day.
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Dr. Lane was "small and dainty" and in her contacts
with students had a "quiet, reassuring manner."
Not only was she an excellent doctor, but also a
wise counselor and good friend. For 16
years, she guarded the health of all Meredith
students, and with the aid of the physical
education department, administered a
constructive health program on campus.
When she decided to limit her practice
and leave Raleigh, it was with regret that
her many Meredith friends saw her
depart. During the intervening years,
until her health failed, she busied herself
in her life's calling, that of healing the
sick and making life brighter for those in
her care.
Elizabeth James Dotferer ( 1 930), also
a physician, said, "Although Dr. Lane
came to Meredith after my time as a
student, I knew her for her compassion
and genuine love for her fellow man.
When I was taking the North Carolina
Board, it was Dr. Lane who invited all of
the women applicants to have lunch
with her. She knew well the tension we
were feeling, and she was doing just a
little something to relieve that tension. I
shall never forget that kindness. Years
later, when she was contemplating
retirement, my husband and I, who were
in our prime, had an occasion to talk with
her. At this time we felt her compassion for
her patients who were her friends. She was
worrying about those patients, for they had
grown old with her and she knew so much
about them. She worried, too, because she
knew that many could not afford their needed
medicines and hospital treatment. Little did she
dream that Medicare was just around the corner."
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Miss Grimmer graduated from Meredith in
1913 with a certificate in music, a subject
she taught at the College from 1916-1920,
and in 1941, with a bachelor's degree in
history. Appointed executive secretary of
the Alumnae Association in 1928, she
remained in that position until she retired
in 1 964. Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson, in her
HLsJo_r^pf_Meiedith_Col|ege, credits
Miss Grimmer with the lion's share of
praise for the accomplishments of the
Alumnae Association during her years
as director: The Alumnae Magazine,
the annual seminars, organization of
alumnae chapters, establishment of
the Loyalty Fund, the Granddaughters'
Club, erection of the Alumnae House
(now called the Mae Grimmer House),
and the extensive drive for financial
support for alumnae. All of these and
countless smaller benefits have come
about largely because Mae Grimmer
worked and pushed so hard.
In 1 964, the Wake County Chapter of
the Alumnae Association established
a Mae Grimmer Scholarship, proceeds
of which are awarded to students who
commute to Meredith. For 54 years, Miss
Grimmer's life and labors were centered
at Meredith College. Generation after
generation of college women came
back from time to time to find her warm
welcoming smile and her quick effort to
make them feel at home again. Mae
Grimmer's vision for the college has
enabled many women to share in her legacy
of achievement.
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Ever since childhood, Bernice Kelly Harris thought of herself
as a writer. Her early dreams of penning novels and plays
were truly realized as she became one of the most gifted
novelists in the state. Since her graduation from
Meredith in 1 9 1 3, she published Purslane in 1 939, the
first publication of the University of North Carolina
Press and first recipient of the Mayflower Cup. Her
other novels include Portujqca, Sweet _BeulahJ.and,
Sgge_. Quarter, Ja_ney_Jeems, Hearthstones and
Wj.laLCherry. Road. She also wrote Fplk_P[gys.pf
_Easiern_Ngrth CgLoling and Sqythern.Sgvory, her
autobiography, as well as numerous newspaper
and magazine articles.
Bernice's career was filled with awards and titles
including winner of the Master Playwright
Award, leader of the North Corolino Writer's
Conference gnd first woman president of the
• North Carolina Literary and Historical Society.
Bernice was also g brilliant educgtor, teaching
at the high school level for 1 1 years and then
later at Chowan College. She organized the
Roanoke-Chowan Writers' Organization and
the Northampton Players, writing and directing
theater productions that toured throughout the
state. Bernice's literary and personal interests
were in people. Her works reflected her deep
appreciation and respect for all persons no
matter what their station. Critics compared her
works to Thomas Wolfe's and she was referred to
as the "Grand Dame" of North Carolina literature.
In her usual modest way, Bernice wauld probgbly
be surprised by all the accolades. As she said,
"Everyone has a story to tell. Look for that story
and record it! In every experience you can find the
beauty of the human spirit." In 1998, she was
inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame.
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Harriet Herring was a professor emerita
of sociology and, for more than 40
years, a member of the Institute for
Research in Social Science. She was
educated at Meredith, Radcliffe, and
Bryn Mawr She held executive
positions at three textile mills
before joining the UNC-Chapel
Hill faculty in 1925.
As Personnel Director of Carolina
Cotton and Woolen Mills in
Spray, NC, she established the
first comprehensive cotton mill
employee welfare system in the
South. Herring was the worlds
foremost authority on the social
life of southern mill villages. Her
many publications included the
books Welfare Workjn_Mill
Villages, Spjjihej^iiridystry_a_nd
Regip_nal_DeyeJppment, and The
Passing_of theMill Village, To her
writings and teaching Harriet
Laura Herring brought erudition,
a strong analytic mind, and a
direct style that allows us to see,
feel and experience life in those
villages.
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Affectionately called "Mother Superior" by students
and teachers alike, 1914 Meredith graduate
Louise Futrell is best known for founding the
Summit School in Winston-Salem. A natural
teacher with a unique ability to inspire, Louise
was a pioneer in the field of education. In
1 9 3 3, while America was in the throes of the
Great Depression, public schools were over-
crowded and underfunded; dissatisfaction
was rampant. Asked to meet the demand
for a private school, Louise moved to
Winston-Salem and founded the Summit
School. What began in her sisters house
with 1 8 children and three teachers has
flourished into a large private school with
an excellent reputation for innovative
teaching techniques and an unstructured
atmosphere.
Louise was the backbone of the school
all her life. After 22 years as principal,
she took a year off to study teaching
techniques with Dr. June Orton, a specialist
in learning disabilities. She returned to the
school and established a special education
program there. Summits headmaster,
Douglas Lewis described Louises life as
"one spent in teaching — and it was a rich
one for the people she taught." Louise
enriched many lives, as evidenced by her
being named the Alumna of the Year in 1 976
at Meredith and an honorary degree awarded
to her by Wake Forest.
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In the past, one of the senior superlatives listed in the yearbook
was "Miss Meredith." If there was one person who could be
called the "Miss Meredith" for all time, that person would be Dr.
Mary Lynch Johnson. She began her studies at Meredith in
1 909, when she entered the Meredith Academy as a sixth-
grader. She graduated in 1917, began teaching in the
English department in 1 9 1 8 and became department chair
in 1952. She taught at Meredith until her retirement in
1969, leaving only to earn her MA from Columbia
University and her Ph.D. from Cornell University Her
presence was felt on the Meredith campus in many
ways. Her well-known love of cats, her red academic
regalia and her strong coffee served at English Club
meetings are all part of many Meredith memories. She
said that it always surprised her how little water it took
to make a cup of coffee - and desilvered spoons in the
Joyner lounge were certainly testimony to that.
Dr. Johnson loved words and few of her speeches or
essays were without at least one explanation of word
origin. She authored AH j story oLMeredLtLCollege in
1 956 and published a second edition in 1 972, These
histories reflect her scholarly abilities in research and
writing but, more importantly, give us insight to her
sense of humor. She presented Meredith, foibles and
all, in a book that is a "good read" for anyone. After
retirement, she served as college historian and taught
in the Department of Continuing Education. Some of her
off-campus activities included serving as trustee of the
Carver School of Missions and Social Work in
Louisville, Kentucky and of Shaw University in Raleigh.
She was named Volunteer of the Year in 1 980 as a result
of her 13 years of volunteer work at the Mayview
Convalescent Center in Raleigh.
In 1 984, the year of her death, the Mary Lynch Johnson
Chair of English was established at Meredith College. It is
clear that Meredith was as dear to her as she was to the
college, one of the essays written for Meredith, the college
magazine, she said, "I have had a long and happy life, and
Meredith has given me a great part of that happiness."
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Dr. Elizabeth Vann's motto in her graduating yearbook
was "Her life had many a hope & aim." She was the head
of the psychiatric department at one of the world's
leading mental institutions, St. Elizabeth's Psychiatric
Hospital, for 38 years. An interviewer had once
commented to her on the immense courage it must
have taken to enter o profession so hostile to
women. But Dr. Vann felt that her accomplishment
was slight compared to what her father had
overcome in his life. As a child, her father,
Richard Tilman Vann, a minister and former
president of Meredith College ( 1 900- 1915),
had experienced a farming accident in a cane
mill which left him without both arms below his
elbows. He overcame incredible obstacles all
his life, never letting anything stop him. He
was an inspiration to everyone who knew
him, especially his daughter.
Dr. Vann's primary goal was to help others.
During her work at St. Elizabeth's, she shared
the responsibility for the treatment of the
poet Ezra Pound, who was confined to the
hospital from 1945 to 1958.
Her interests were not only in medicine. She
worked to keep the natural environment
unspoiled in the Potomac area of Washington
DC, planting over 100 varieties of azaleas
and trees not native to that area.
The Vann family put extreme importance on the
education of women. While her father was
President of Meredith College, they converted their
family home in downtown Raleigh into a women's
resource center. Throughout her life, Dr. Vann continued
the commitment to helping those in need established by
her inspirational father.
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Hallie Siddell loved music and for much of her life
dreamt of one day studying it. At age 26, she
began voice lessons under the direction of a
local teacher. In three years, she had voice
students of her own. Feeling it necessary to
further her study, she planned two-week
"vacation trips" which were actually
concentrated studies. In the mornings she
worked with Maria Kurenko, "The Russian
Nightingale," and in the afternoons
under Arthur Phillips of Carnegie Hall. It
wasn't long before the coloratura
soprano realized her ambition when
she received an offer from the
Metropolitan.
Hallie studied art at Meredith for five
years. Under Ida Poteat's instruction,
she was warned that she might be
confined to painting still lifes for two
years, but within six months she was
granted permission to use live models.
She later became a photographer
and portrait painter in Raleigh. She
painted and photographed numerous
Carolina businessmen and women,
brides and children, who spread her
reputation up and down the Atlantic
seaboard. Many of her subjects
returned with their children and grand-
children for portraits. Mrs. Siddell's work
earned her one of the highest laurels in
the photography world: The Professional
Photographers of America's Honorary
Master of Photography. Hallie and her
husband collaboratively owned Siddell
Studios, a photography studio in Raleigh,
for many years.
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Roxie Laybourne has probably heard a thousand
times that her work is "for the birds." However,
since Laybourne is the leading ornithologist in
her field, this is indeed the case. Laybourne has
spent nearly three decades studying feathers
and has become the nations foremost feather
identifier. She graduated from Meredith in
1 932, but her love of nature started early in
Farmville, North Carolina. It was there she
began to explore the many fields and woods
that surrounded her. Her phenomenal ability
to identify practically any feather in the
world has allowed her to solve murder
mysteries, theft cases, general biological
mysteries, and save human lives. What
led Laybourne to study feathers is also
what led her to save lives.
In 1 960 a jet crash killed 62 people after
hitting a flock of starlings; Laybourne was
put on the case to identify the type of bird
that had gotten caught in the engine and
caused the tragedy. Since then she has
helped manufacturers design engines that
will withstand the impact of birds whose
migration patterns cross flight patterns.
Laybourne also helped to preserve the life
of the whooping crane by inventing an
instrument capable of identifying the bird's
sex so ornithologists could put the "right"
birds together for mating. Today, when
Laybourne is not studying the over one half
million bird specimens at the Smithsonian
Institution, teaching classes on skinning, and
tracing eagle poachers, she writes. Her papers
and articles allow her to share the enormous
quantity and specificity of her fascinating career.
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A great understatement would be to say that Edna Frances
Dawkins has been busy since graduating Meredith
College in 1 937. After receiving her masters degree
in personnel administration she came back to her
alma mater for eight years to serve as the Assistant
to Dean of Women Even after she left the campus
to work for the foreign mission board, Edna
helped recruit students for Meredith locally,
nationally and internationally. She has also
served for 35 years on the Foreign Mission
Board after feeling a call to be a missionary in
China as a young woman.
From 1947-1972, Mrs. Dawkins served as
the Associate Secretary for Personnel and
interviewed several thousand candidates for
the Foreign Mission service. She evaluated
the candidates and decided who was
appropriate for mission work. She has
never been bothered by the reputation that
she received in the beginning as a "hard"
personnel secretary. She rarely hesitated
to discourage a mission volunteer that she
felt lacked qualifications.
Around the office she earned the title of a
"computer with compassion" since she knew
practically the entire postwar generation of
foreign missionaries. Mrs. Dawkins is also
known as the woman who was nearly the
single driving force behind the construction of
the Foreign Mission Fellowship. This network
of retired and former missionaries and
returned journeymen allows these men and
women to become an informal "think tank" for
mission support back in the United States. The
organization also, with Edna's influence,
helped change the stereotype that resigned
missionaries were "quitters."
Even though she has retired from the Foreign
Mission Board, Mrs. Dawkins has remained active
in her local church and community. In 1982, the
former missionary Paul Bell said, "I hope the Foreign
Mission Board can hire 20 people to do what she
has done."
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Many Meredith angels would never have attended Meredith if
there had not been a Mary Bland Josey. Many can remember
the first sight of her on College Day at high school: bright
blue eyes sparkling with intelligence, her enthusiasm and, of
course, that red hair. She energized the whole room and
when she finished talking about Meredith, the audience
was convinced there wasn't a better place on earth to go
to college. Of course, she was in a position to know
since she herself had come to Meredith and earned a
Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in 1951
with a major in mathematics and related fields in
religion and education.
After finishing at Meredith, Mary Bland received a
Rotary International Fellowship to study a year at the
University of Reading in England. In 1953 she
accepted the position of assistant director of public
relations at Meredith to travel and spread the word
about her alma mater. In 1965 she assumed the
duties of registrar of the college and in 1 966 was
asked to develop the school's first separate
admissions office. By 1968 she had relinquished
the registrar's role to give her full attention to
admissions and financial assistance, which was
part of the admissions office.
In addition to her many responsibilities on campus,
Mary Bland found time to complete a masters
degree in higher education at North Carolina State
University, serve on and chair numerous committees
of professional organizations and, not the least,
serve as a mentor par excellence for the many staff
members who worked for her. They fondly remember
her handwriting (a challenge), her office sweater
(complete with holes and tissues in the sleeves], her
compassion (for students, colleagues, family and
friends) and her total commitment to excellence in all
she undertook.
After 30 years at Meredith College, Mary Bland
served the education community for nine more years as
communications coordinator at College Foundation, Inc.
In 1 995, she threw herself into a retirement schedule of
study, travel and church activities that proved as vigorous as
that of her work years. Always remembering friends and
family, Mary Bland's thoughtfulness and genuine interest
continuously enrich the lives of all with whom she interacts
and make her an extraordinary Meredith angel.
.
On first meeting this energetic woman, one is
struck by her vitality and passion. Charleen
Swansea, poet, educator, and publisher, makes
an immediate impression on all. Known through-
out North Carolina as the founder of the Red
Clay Reader, she has published the works of
Alice Walker, Fred Chappell and Reynolds
Price. She is the recipient of the 1984 Sam
Ragan Award for Outstanding Contribution
to Cultural Arts in North Carolina and cites
an internship with Ezra Pound in th 1 950s as
inspiration for her work. She met Pound at St.
Elizabeths Hospital where she convinced his
nurses that she was his daughter so they
would let her into his room. She is featured in
the documentary "Shermans March" by
Ross McElwee, who thought that she was
such an interesting personality that he went
on to write and produce "Charleen," a film
about just her.
Born in Charlotte, Charleen was raised in a
sheltered Baptist family in which women
were not given opportunities to pursue
education. However, she found her way to
Meredith where professors took her under
their wing. Dr Helen Price invited Charleen to
attend a Quaker meeting and showed her a
kind of spirituality that took root in her and
continued for the next 30 years. Dr. Norma
Rose, who understood her mischievousness,
kept a picture of her "adopted daughter" at
her bedside until her death. Dr. Julie Harris
and Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson each gave lots of
love and second chances to Charleen. These four
women taught her how to study and provided
funds for her to go on to graduate school when
her family refused. These women saw Charleen
graduate with a degree in Latin and Education in
1 954. To them she is forever grateful.
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The New Haven Register once said about Jeanne
Grealish, "whatever she sings, wherever she sings
it, glowing reviews follow." As a mezzo-soprano,
Jeanne has received those "glowing reviews"
from renowned music centers located in such
places as Vienna, Zurich, Boston, Chicago, and
New York. She has performed 26 operatic
and 37 oratorio roles as well as many solo
recitals, some of which were performed with
the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and pianist
Jane Snow.
Jeanne's inspiration for her work came
from Meredith College, from which she
graduated in 1957 with a degree in
music and voice. She found "personal
security" from her years at Meredith as
well as "guidance and influence" from
Beatrice Donley, her teacher and mentor
during those years. Although she went on
to earn an A.D. at the New England
Conservatory of Music, Jeanne attributes
her successful career as a singer to the
education she received at Meredith.
While singing is Jeanne's first love, she
has not limited her career to it. She has
also done musicological research in
vocal music, given lectures, and published
accredited writings. She has taught
classes at universities across the country,
created a private voice studio of her
own, and is recognized as a Nationally
Certified Teacher of Music by the National
Teacher's Association. Through all Jeanne's
accomplishments, she is most proud of her
ability to give to young people the same
guidance and inspiration she received during
her school years. Jeanne Grealish is an
impressive asset to the ranks of Meredith's
Outstanding Alumnae.
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Twenty-one years after Barbara Allen graduated from
Meredith with a degree in Art Education, a colleague said of
her, "Her stately grace and beauty of character present a
model for all who come to her to learn the meaning and use
of art. Truth and beauty come to her, illuminate her face
and form, shine in her classroom, and spill over into the
lives of her students and colleagues . . . Somehow she can
take the common clay of humanity and mold it into a
vessel both useful and beautiful."
It is doubtful that Barbara could have imagined such high
praise when, fresh out of college, she became Wake
County Public Schools' first full-time art educator. It
was a daunting task. With no defined curriculum, no
supervisor and no permanent Facilities, she went from
school to school teaching students in elementary
grades, middle school and high school. Many times
there was not even running water as she met with
students in basement storage areas or on risers in a
chorus room.
What she lacked in facilities and equipment,
. Barbara made up for in enthusiasm, knowledge of
her subject and love for the young people whom she
was teaching. In those early months, as Barbara
simultaneously formulated art curricula for all three
levels, she became increasingly captivated by her
students' efforts to explore their own creativity. "In
retrospect," Barbara says, "I believe that the
absence of equipment, facilities and leadership on
the supervisory level required such a degree of self-
discipline and resourcefulness on my part that I
was a better teacher for having [had] such a frugal
experience."
From her own "frugal experiences" have come many
years of providing vital educational experiences to
others, including supervising student teachers, many
of whom were from Meredith. She also holds many
extra-curricular accomplishments. These include co-
authoring the current Wake County art curriculum and
the teaching scholars program; designing and writing
the Enloe High School magnet program; and designing
the "Litter Critter" for Cary clean-up campaigns,
among many others. She has received numerous
awards and recognitions such as being named North
Carolina Art Educator of the Year in 1991. She has
always shown a willingness to accept tasks outside the
classroom and has been invited to make presentations at
both state and national art education conferences.
Yet all of the awards, honors, and recognitions from peers
and colleagues have come because of how she envisions
and implements her tasks in the role of teacher. By inspiring
young people to be the best that they can be and to explore
their own creativity and capabilities, she truly represents the
excellence in education that we all dream of for our children.
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From humble beginnings on a farm near
Brevard, North Carolina, Gwendolyn P.
Davis came to Meredith College as the
only member of her immediate family to
ever attend college. She graduated cum
laude in business, and later served for
seven years as the Chief Accountant
at Meredith. In 1971, she was
recruited by College Foundation,
Inc., a private, non-profit organization
that administers college loans in
NC She took a cut in salary to
begin working as a loan officer for
the small lending institution. The
company flourished, and 25
years later, with nearly 200
employees administering more
than 400 million dollars in student
loans, Gwen Davis became the
President and CEO of College
Foundation, Inc.
"There are so many outstanding
young people whose talents and
skills could be of benefit to their
communities if we could only find
ways to provide an education that
shows them how to put their talents ^-^ n n
to use," Davis said. "The College \J Iplojp^lft'lFn
Foundation is the vehicle that North
Carolina is using to bring the student
and the educational opportunity
together."
Although immersed in the demanding
responsibilities of her job, Gwen also
avidly supports the arts, especially
the North Carolina Symphony, and is an
active supporter of the North Carolina
Historic Preservation Foundation.
Margaret Rymer Simmons is noted as one of the top pianists from
North Carolina. She took her first degree in music from Meredith,
where she got her start os an ensemble performer. Margaret feels
that much of a students' work as a music major is one-on-one
with the faculty. While the entire music faculty played a large
role in her education, Beatrice Donley was by far the most
influential. She says Beatrice challenged her musically and
academically, encouraging her to pursue a career as a coach
and accompanist before it was a realistic opportunity in
academia. This encouragement led her to Florida State
University, where she received her masters degree in
music and on to the University of Illinois, where she was
one of the first to receive a degree in accompaniment.
Margaret Simmons' background at Meredith led her
into a lifetime of achievement. She is known in eastern
NC through her appearances as an accompanist and
director of the Campbell College Girls Ensemble,
which she organized in 1968. Margaret has
appeared with many talented musicians including
Boyd Mackus in 1 976 and the Klarion Trio in 1 985.
She has played for governors' inaugurations, Senator
Paul Simon's retirement tribute, and auditions at the
Met, the Chicago Lyric and other opera houses as a
member of three different chamber groups. Margaret
has also done summer studies with John Wustman, and
was an accompanist for Pavoratti. A most memorable
event was when she played a concert of the music of
the famous Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski, who
was in the audience. During intermission, Margaret
found out that if was his birthday so as an encore she
played Happy Birthday with flourishes.
In Margaret's work, she enjoys adding variety. Often
her emphasis is on jazz, pop and jazz-rock. She is very
— proud of being able to maintain a career as a teacher
and performer. Margaret is currently an Assistant
Professor of Music at Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale, having been on the faculty there since
1 977. She teaches freshman theory and accompaniment
to graduates and undergraduates. She is also the vocal
coach and serves as coordinator for the voice area.
Meredith gave Margaret the opportunity to play for many
singers, the chorus and the ensemble. Through that she found
a love for the vocal literature that shaped her career. Margaret
reflects on the college as a place that gave her a confidence
with strong academic training, performance opportunities and
leadership experiences in student government. Her advice to
women attending Meredith: "take advantage of every opportunity
that comes your way."
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To know Dr. Betty Webb of Meredith's English
Department is to know a woman of honor, intellect,
ability, service and excellence.
As a student at Meredith College, Betty studied
under the English department's "Big Three" (Dr.
Mary Lynch Johnson, Dr. lone Knight, and Dr.
Norma Rose). From these three wise women of
Meredith, as well as others, Betty received
knowledge far more encompassing than simply
information about a specific subject. She
relates that they taught her of honor, and the
paucity of life without it; they taught her of
excellence and the value of rechecking
everything for potential errors; and they
taught her to share the bounty of her life
with others through service.
Receiving her degree from Meredith and
later obtaining her Ph.D. from UNC-Chapel
Hill, Betty eventually returned to Meredith
to share her intellectual gifts with others.
While she served as its head, the English
department's stability was strengthened
considerably. Through Dr. Webb's efforts,
the department's number of tenured faculty
members grew from one to six.
She also established and directed Meredith
Abroad, the college's international studies
program "Studying abroad is a dramatically
life-changing event," she says. Among her
best memories are the final nights of the
Meredith Abroad trips and "hearing students
recount the marvelous experiences they've
had, sights they've seen [and] understanding
they've acquired."
Although student/teacher relationships have
undergone a transformation in the years
between Betty Webb's time as a student and as
a teacher, the legacy remains. She teaches as she
herself was taught. Giving students the opportunity
to develop both the mind and character is her gift,
which continues to serve our community.
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During her years as a Meredith College
student, Cindy Griffith McEnery exhibited
outstanding leadership ability. This ability
was recognized after she graduated,
when, at the age of 22, she was elected
to the Meredith Board of Trustees,
becoming one of the youngest college
trustees in the country. In more recent
years, Cindy has served as president
of the Alumnae Association and
received the Distinguished Alumnae
Award for 1997.
Cindy's professional career has
taken her from positions in banking
to her position with IBM, as Client
Executive for all universities and
colleges in North Carolina. In this
position, she is responsible for the
creation and execution of many
marketing programs within higher
education. Cindy was responsible
for the Thinkpad Program at Wake
Forest, which is IBM's international
model of mobile computing.
Her fellow alumnae say that
"Cindy is an excellent example of a
woman who handles a great deal
with grace." Cindy combines her
career with her husband and two
children, who are the center of her
life. She exemplifies the Meredith
ideals of talent, hard work, and a
sense of balance in all things.
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Anne Bryan graduated from Meredith College in
1 97 1 and went on to take her Master of Arts
from Duke University. She is the co-founder and
president (since 1994) of Exploris, the
nation's first global learning center serving
to encourage young people how to relate
to and understand an ever-changing and
increasingly interconnected world. She
describes Exploris as "a window on the
world and a door to the 2 1 st century."
Anne's career has been dedicated to
helping children. Prior to her work with
Exploris, she served on the Governor's
Crime Commission as juvenile justice
director and deputy director, and with
the state education agency as director
of dropout prevention and chief of
elementary education. She remembers
one of her favorite experiences in
connection with Meredith College,
when she spoke for the Lillian
Wallace Parker Endowment just prior
to President Jimmy Carter's address.
After she was done, he leaned over
and commended her speech; high
praise from one of her most admired
role models.
Bryan balances her busy career with a
family as well. She and her husband and
two daughters enjoy traveling, reading,
hiking, and sailing together. Anne Bryan
credits her liberal arts education at
Meredith with providing her a sense of
empowerment and self-confidence, as
well as enabling her to think critically and
speak out as a leader.
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Dr. Jean Jackson is a true Meredith dynamo.
Her dedication to Meredith College began as
a student here in 1971 and has not let up
since. In her student years at Meredith, she
served diligently in the positions of freshman
class president and in her senior year as
SGA president and a member of both
Kappa Nu Sigma and Silver Shield. She
recalls "seeing women do every type of
job at Meredith from the least noticed
to the most prominent." This reaffirmed
her belief that women can accomplish
anything they set out to do. Jean
majored in English and religion and
was greatly influenced by special
teachers such as Dr. Norma Rose, Dr.
lone Knight, Dr. Roger Crook, and Dr.
Allan Burris. In 1 983, after receiving
her Ph.D. in English at the University of
Illinois, she returned to Meredith to
become an influential professor in
her own right. Her many duties at
Meredith have included teaching
English, directing a new program
in professional communications,
heading the faculty productions of
Alice in Wonderland, giving speeches
as a Meredith representative, and
serving as the vice-president for
Student Development. Jackson's endless
energy, sense of humor and dedication
to serving the college have earned her
the Distinguished Alumnae Award
as well as the iove and respect of
thousands of students. She points out
that giving the commencement address
at Meredith in 1 993 was one of the best
experiences of her life, and the advice she
gives to women attending Meredith now is
to "live passionately, study hard, enjoy your
friends, and understand what is important to
your life."
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Since presiding over her senior class in 1975, Jo Ann
Williford has had many exciting experiences. Her career in
public history has allowed her to help edit an outline of
North Carolina history that has been used as a teaching
guide in the public schools. She was also responsible for
the research and preparation involved in the Town of
Cameron's nomination for the National Register.
Throughout her nine years as education director at the
State Capitol, Ms. Williford, along with assistants
and volunteers, provided for the more than 1 00,000
people visiting each year. She was recently appointed
state coordinator for the National History Day, a
program for sixth- through twelfth-grade students
that encourages the study of history through history
fairs. When asked what her most memorable event
related to her career has been, she responded that
it was when she "gave a tour of the Capitol to
Mrs. Barbara Bush." She added, "One of the most
memorable incidents was also when I assisted
with the planning and execution of the dedication
of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Capitol
grounds. Seeing those veterans finally achieve
some degree of closure was a very moving and
emotional experience."
Ms. Williford has travelled to many places, herding
cattle in Wyoming and adventuring through the
Australian outback. She has even sung at Carnegie
Hall, but her ties to the community keep Ms.
\ Williford close to home. She currently serves on
the board of deacons at her church, teaches
Sunday school and plays in the church orchestra. Jo
Ann says that "being at a women's college allowed
me to grow and develop in ways that I never would
have in a co-educational setting. It certainly allowed
me an opportunity to develop skills." Dr. Sarah
Lemmon, history professor, proved to be influential in
Ms. Williford's career. Jo Ann says that Dr. Lemmon's
"enthusiasm for history was contagious" and that
"the love of history that she instilled in me has never
left, and I have wanted to share it with others through
public history in the same way she shared it with me in
academia." Her advice to Meredith women: "Cultivate
and cherish the community that you have there and don't
let it go after you graduate. My Meredith classmates are
still my most precious friends, and time and distance have
not diminished those special relationships."
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Lisa Burns Thanhauser graduated in 1986 and
has become a successful woman in all
respects of her life. Previously an interior
designer and regional space planner for
Northern Telecom, she now operates a
very successful office and interior
design firm. She attributes much of this
success to Meredith College.
By attending an all-female university
she was able to focus on how to better
herself in a "man's world." She gives a
lot of credit to the guidance and
support that she received from the
faculty They enabled her to be more
prepared and confident in her life
and work in general. She also
appreciates the inspiration that
came from Dr. Ellen Goode. She has
not forgotten Meredith College;
she often leads seminars in the
interior design department. She
even organized the very active
Meredith Alumnae Chapter of
Interior Designers. She also gives
speeches and helps with classes.
Her career is not her only priority in
life. Being a single mother, Lisa has
learned to balance a demanding
career and a family.
Lisa Thanhauser displays the goals
and integrity of Meredith College.
She continues to be a strong mentor to
students as she is a prime example of
what a Meredith alumna can accomplish.
1
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Rachel Nicholson has always had a strong interest in
the promotion of the arts. Her involvement in the
community has reflected this attitude. As a student,
Rachel worked with vocal coaches at St. Mary's
College and NC Central University. She spent ten
seasons with the Raleigh Oratorio Society,
serving as soprano soloist for four seasons.
She also sang with the North Carolina Bach
Festival Choir as well as several church choirs.
It was in the 1980s that her artistic focus
switched to the visual arts. She began to
work on a fiber process called "hand-made
felt." Some of her early pieces ended up in a
local gallery. Eventually, she decided on
coming to Meredith to pursue her lifelong
dream of completing a college degree. She
considers the education received here to
be of exceptional quality. The Art History
classes taught by Blue Greenberg were a
powerful influence in her understanding of
the development of art. Inspired by
Maureen Banker, Rachel chose printmaking
for her studio concentration.
Rachel received an unexpected honor
when, in January of 1998, she had the
opportunity to show her work as part of
the Critics Choice Series at the Duke
University Museum of Art. Another solo
exhibition ran concurrently at Meredith
College where her work was shown as a
part of the Alumnae Solo Exhibition Series.
Rachel encourages Meredith students to
take full advantage of the facilities and
enriching support provided by the school:
"Meredith is a wonderful community to
sharpen the skills needed for survival in the
real world while one is still in a supportive, yet
challenging, environment."
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Sophie Lanneau was born on August 19, 1 880 in Lexington, Missouri. When she was
eight years old her father accepted a teaching position at Wake Forest University.
Her childhood home is described as having "an atmosphere of refinement and
Christian culture." Literature, music and the church were encouraged activities
during her youth. It is not surprising that she took on education and missionary
work as a career.
Since there was no high school for her to attend in Wake Forest, she received
her education at the Franklin Female Seminary in Virginia. After graduating,
she taught English and Latin there. She then returned home to study at the
newly established Baptist Female University in Raleigh, now Meredith
College. In 1902 she was among the first graduating class at Meredith
with a Bachelor of Arts. On the day of this first graduation, the students
organized the Alumnae Association and Sophie was elected president.
From 1902 to 1903 she taught public school and then returned to
Meredith to teach Latin and French for two years. She then attended the
Women's Missionary Union Training School in Louisville, Kentucky, and
during the following year taught school in Puerto Rico.
In 1 907, the Baptist Foreign Mission Board appointed her a missionary
to China. Arriving there on November 19, 1907, Sophie designated
that day as her Chinese birthday, which she continued to celebrate
throughout her life with as much enthusiasm as her natural birthday.
Once in Soochow, China, Sophie began learning Chinese and in 1911
she opened the Wei Ling Girl's Academy. She was the founder, principal
and teacher of this academy, which took girls from kindergarten through
high school. The Chinese found great respect for her scholarship in the
Chinese language. In 1928, she relinquished the post of principal in
favor of a Chinese successor, but continued as founder and teacher. In
1937, the war between China and Japan broke out and she was forced
to take refuge in Shanghai, where she took on a temporary teaching
position at the University. After being closed down for a year under
f Lt^lL Cl- Japanese occupation, Wei Ling Academy re-opened with three other
Baptist schools. Sophie took back her post at Wei Ling and continued to
teach English Literature at the University of Shanghai. During her 43
years in China she was also Deacon of a local church for 30 years. In
1 942 the Japanese interned her and she was repatriated to the United
States in 1 943. Sophie did return to China from 1 946 until 1 950 when
she retired under the regulations of the Baptist Foreign Mission Board.
In a speech honoring Sophie upon her return to Wake Forest, it was said.
Our village is blessed indeed in the prospective return of this consecrated
Christian woman to her childhood home. May we be able to make her life
radiant with peace and joy is the prayer of her many friends." At the age of
70, Sophie returned to Wake Forest and lived with her sisters until her death
on June 4, 1963.
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Madge Wescotf Daniels Barber, daughter
of John T. Daniels, the photographer
famous for his historic photograph of
the Wright brothers' first flight, herself
went on to pursue many challenges.
Graduating from Meredith College
in l 920, she came away with the
feeling that she could succeed
and overcome any obstacle.
Throughout her teaching career
of 55 years and her employment
with a travel agency, she
broadened and enriched the
lives of many students by
traveling with them to Europe
every summer for 25 years.
Ms. Barber felt that a liberal
arts education was extremely
useful with her knowledge of
foreign languages aiding in
travels abroad. She said,
"The value of travel is in the
exchange of ideas. Nobody
is insulated, no people have a
corner on the facts." She
established a scholarship at
Meredith in memory of her
parents, John T. and Amanda
Wescott Daniels, in support
and awareness of women's
education and the Alumnae
Association
Ms. Barber's advice to Meredith
students was for them to "set their
goals high and be willing to work
hard to achieve them," a motto by
which she herself lived.
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Many North Carolinian baby-boomers may
remember the Little Jack Puppet Show which
traveled to elementary schools throughout
the state to teach children how to properly
care for their teeth. This popular teaching
aid was created by Carolyn Morton
Mercer, an educational consultant for
the NC State Board of Health from
1936 to 1962. Carolyn was widely
known for her book, Caching Mouth
Health in NojthX.Q.rpJina
Carolyn was a pioneer for women
in her civic life in a time when most
women did not hold leadership
positions. She was the first woman
deacon of Pullen Memorial
Baptist Church in Raleigh, as well
as the first lay member of the NC
Dental Society. At Meredith,
Carolyn served as president of
the Alumnae Association, during
which time she worked earnestly
to build the Alumnae House.
After moving to Winston-Salem
from Raleigh, Carolyn continued
her enthusiastic dedication to
children by teaching students
with learning disabilities at the
Orton Reading Center. Anne
Kesler Shields, a well-known artist,
fondly remembers her aunt for her
cheerful personality and patience.
She believes that "Carolyn Morton
Mercer touched the lives of hundreds,
if not thousands, of children, through
teaching in the classroom, writing
educational material about dental
health, and one-on-one teaching at the
Orton Reading Center."
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The Weatherspoon name should sound familiar
to any Meredith student. Laura Weatherspoon
literally earned a name for her family and
herself when she secured funds for a new
gymnasium, named in honor of her brother.
Lauras leadership abilities and fund-rais-
ing talent have gone beyond building a
new gym for the college. She has made
several lasting contributions toward
the beauty of the campus through a
generous donation of English ivy and
boxwoods which were planted
around the Alumnae House. She also
raised money for planting nearly
1 00 trees in the Avenue of Oaks in
1 973. She says, "I give to Meredith
because I have an abiding faith in
the students who are there at the
present time and those of the years
to come."
Laura has held many leadership
positions since her graduation in
1927. She presided over the
Alumnae Association, the North
Carolina State University Women's
Club, and the Raleigh Garden Club.
She was awarded the Outstanding
Alumnae Philanthropy Award from
Meredith as well. A glance at the ver-
dant ivy of the Alumnae House, the
majestic rows of oaks, or the gym at
the edge of campus will immediately
remind Meredith students of the lasting
contributions Laura Weatherspoon has
made to her school.
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"Anyone who knows Meredith knows Mabel
Claire," a Raleigh reporter once declared
of 1928 Meredith graduate Mabel
Claire Hoggard Maddrey.
Mabel Claire has perfected the art of
organizing, managing projects, and
raising money; she calls herself a
"professional volunteer." Soon after
graduating, she was president of
the Alumnae Association and led
her class in securing funds to build
Jones Chapel on campus. In
1 955, Mrs. Maddrey became
the first woman to serve on the
executive committee of the
Southern Baptist Convention.
Since 1963, Mabel Claire has
also raised money for hundreds
of causes while serving as a
member and as president of
the Raleigh Women's Club.
Her involvement in the Women's
Club led her into politics. She
has applied her skills to various
campaigns for the Democratic
Party, including leading a group
of female supporters for Al
Gore's Presidential campaign of
1988. North Carolina Governor
Jim Hunt, who includes Mabel
Claire as his teacher and friend,
dubs her "the grand matriarch of
North Carolina politics." Her
friends say, "Politicians ask Mabel
Claire for advice, and the smart ones
do what she tells them."
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(Look
Evening Star: So early setting for so bright
a starl/Meteor-like he came/And flashed
his brilliance all along the sky/Then
sank aflame./He left a trail of beauty
as he went, /And all who saw his
light/Remembered that the brightest
stars are first/Claimed by the night.
These delicate, beautiful lines are the
work of Sarah Cook Rawley, a
1929 Meredith College graduate.
This and numerous other whimsical,
mystical poems are contained in
her book Impressions, which won
a North Carolina Poetry Award.
From her days as editor of the
yearbook and role as class poet,
Sarah always had a love of the
arts. In addition to her poetry, for
which she has won numerous
county and state awards, Sarah
painted and played the piano. To
encourage more people to
enjoy the arts as she did, Sarah
founded the Fine Arts Council in
High Point (now the High Point
Arts Council). In addition, she
established a creative writing
award at Meredith named for her
friend Marion Fisk Welch.
Sarah gave much back to her alma
mater, and Meredith showered her
with gratitude. She was given the
Alumnae Award in 1978, and in
1982 she received the college's
Founders' Award for Distinguished
Service.
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Most women who graduate from Meredith hope to at
least have one career after they leave this beautiful
campus. Those who are fortunate will even find a
career they love and that will touch many people's
lives in a special way. But after graduating from
Meredith in 1933, Eliza Bingham established
four careers that made dramatic impact on
thousands of people's lives, especially children.
Eliza was first a teacher and then a remedial
reading specialist. Throughout her life she
has taught so many children to read that one
pediatrician commented, "She has helped
more children in the City of Greensboro
than anyone else I know." For her teaching
skills, she has received the Terry Sanford
Award for Excellence and Creativity in
Teaching and has also been designated as
Outstanding Teacher in the United States.
Both of these honors were awarded for
her use of psychological testing to
detect reading problems in children who
needed remedial help.
Eliza was able to perform psychological
testing with children because she also
became trained as a a certified clinical
psychologist and a social worker. These
two careers led her to study with the
renowned psychologist Dr. Zygmunt
Piotrowski. Eliza also used her psychology
skills for correctional work in prisons and
at one time was recognized as the only
female psychologist approved to work with
adult prisoners.
When not involved with her career, Eliza has
devoted time in her community as well. She
reactivated the Greensboro Meredith Alumnae
Chapter and organized the Eden Preservation
Society. Her giving of a scholarship, as well as a
Chinese water color and mural to Meredith, in
conjunction with her outstanding careers, have
insured that Eliza Bingham will always have a special
place in the history of this school.
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It is Meredith's hope that all women who leave the
college will be educated and confident to become
leaders in any field they so choose. Eliza Lee
Haselden chose to become a leader in educating
her nation and the entire world on race and human
relations. Graduating from Meredith in 1 935 with
a degree in music, Eliza went on to become the
Church Women United Metropolitan Program
Director. This program was designed to educate
church women on urban problems in order for
them to construct projects to answer community
problems.
In 1978 Eliza became director of the national
"Urban Causeway" program, an effort to
develop a communication network between
church women and men aware of the crucial
issues that cities face. Through Church
Women United, Mrs. Haselden has not just
attempted to unite the races, but also to unite
the different denominations for fellowship and
action. She has also served as chairperson of
the Women's Human Relations Council, which
initiated programs of study and action in the
field of human relations and civil rights.
Since Mrs. Haselden has been so active in the
cause of race and human relations she has
served on numerous boards nationally and
internationally as a delegate and participant
to further her causes. For all of her years of
hard work she has received numerous honors
and been listed among Who's Who three times
throughout her career. It is rare that a woman
picks one cause for which to spend her life
fighting. Mrs. Haselden not only picked the noble
cause of equality, but also chose to educate and
motivate others — particularly women — to
become involved in the hopes that one day justice
will serve not only a select few in this country,
but all.
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When Margaret Caudle graduated from Meredith in 1935
with degrees in both history and sociology, she was
unaware that she would become a vital voice in the field
of communications. This woman became responsible for
one of the most important international communication
systems in the United States
In an effort to promote cultural education, Margaret
developed a broadcast system out of San Antonio,
TX on the US Information Agency's Voice of
America. In some three dozen foreign countries,
her program describes American life and culture.
She has dedicated her life to communications.
She has been an active member in the national
honorary fraternity for women in journalism
and communication and served as president
for the San Antonio chapter in 1963-64.
During the same year she was also president
of the San Antonio chapter of American
Women in Radio and Television. She is even a
lifetime honorary member of the San Antonio
Association for the Blind. She was asked to
serve on their Board of Directors after writing
and producing a film to commemorate the
Association's 25th Anniversary.
In addition to serving on numerous other
boards and as a VOA correspondent in her
spare time, she also managed to have a full-
time career as an advertising executive. Since
leaving Meredith, Margaret has been listed in
Who's Who of American Women and in 1 969
received an award form the San Antonio
Advertising Club for "distinguished service to
the advertising industry of San Antonio." She
notes that although her view of the world was
extremely limited from Meredith's campus in 1 935,
the professors helped guide her aspirations. Her
hope for Meredith is that the faculty will continue to
counsel students on the vast opportunities available
to women.
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Bert Futrelle Whitfield felt that Meredith College influenced
her to be civic minded, loyal to co-workers and to greet
everyone with kindness. This open-minded attitude led
Bert down the road to many successes. She majored in
elementary education with a minor in history in 1 936.
From there she taught elementary school and special
reading until 1949.
After moving to Franklinton, Bert raised her family,
taught school as a substitute teacher and involved
herself in many aspects of her community. A most
memorable and outstanding accomplishment for
Bert is the Franklinton Women's Club, which she
organized in 1 954. She is proud that this club is
still going strong today. As a member of the
Women's Auxiliary to American Cytometric
Association, she served as its third, second and
first vice president, and then as president.
While serving as president, she was invited to
the White House by Lady Bird Johnson for a
luncheon in honor of women volunteers. Bert is
also proud of her service as president of the
Franklin County Senior Citizens Club and for
her time as Mayor Protem on the Franklinton
Town Board of Commissioners from 1977-
85. The long list of accomplishments goes on
to include her involvement with the Franklinton
United Methodist Church, the Easter Seal
Society and The Franklin Times, where she
was a news correspondent for many years.
Bert received an Appreciation Award from the
Auxiliary to the North Carolina State
Optometric Society in 1 980 and a Certificate
of Appreciation from the Franklin County Arts
Council for the years 1995-96.
Meredith College taught Bert how to solve
problems and cope with them on varied levels.
She remembers her history professor, Dr. Alice
Keith, as an inspiration. Bert feels that Meredith
made her more confident. She says, "If it had not
been for Meredith, I might not have accomplished
what I have." Her advice to Meredith women: "Set
goals to reach. Be broad-minded and consider both
sides of a question. Think positively at all times."
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As a child, Effie held an intense interest in her
surroundings. Everything in nature seemed to
hold a profound artistic quality for her. As she
grew, her artistic sensibilities increased and
as she reached out into the world, those
around her responded immediately to her
effervescent personality. Her teachers in
Kinston, NC realized her talents and
helped to raise the money for Effie to
pursue her dreams at Meredith. Once
here, the art department devised an
individual course of study for her
special talent.
Effie's main love is in teaching. Early
on she made the decision not to
exhibit her paintings all over the
world saying, "New York doesn't
need another artist," but chose to
stay close and influence students at
the grass roots level. In 1969 she
opened her own gallery "Eeii's Little
\( ,<Zorner of The World." She has
received many recognitions and
awards including the Meredith
Alumnae Award and the National
Scholastic Magazine Award. But she
is most well-known for her gallery,
which has evolved into a rare place
that houses a myriad of multi-media
artists. People travel From all across
the country to visit her place in
Bellhaven, NC. Through her nurturing
efforts, many talented artists have found
their way. She says, "I see someone who
has talent, is worthy, and I know that
unless someone has faith in him or her they
won't have the courage to go ahead."
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Physician, researcher, cancer educator and pioneer in
oncology rehabilitation, Dr. Susan Jackson Melette
has dedicated her life to improving the quality of
life for cancer patients With compassion and
incredible empathy, Dr. Melette was a forerunner
in the holistic approach to patient care. She has
received numerous awards for her work in
oncology and served vigorously on both
state and national committees. Melette's
true contribution lies in her unique capacity
for touching the individual and instilling
hope and understanding during difficult
times. She broke through in the earlier
days when cancer was stigmatized. She
said, "Cancer patients very often feel
that they have such a bad disease that
they are in danger of being rejected.
They have to be convinced that they
are still lovable." Melette was known
to make her hospital rounds late in the
evening when she had time to sit and
visit with her patients. Her faith during
the demanding and often discouraging
work buoyed her patients as well as
others. An interest in poetry led her to
write verses relating to this struggle. In
her "Letter to a New Patient" she writes:
Your battle is my own as well for you -
and those you love/A campaign worthy
of the best that all of us can give/With
due humility of those who know/The
limits of their finite power, but are not
unaware/That each small particle of
light we have - is harbinger and proof /Of
greater Light awaiting us - to make
it/Visible.
Attached to a copy of these lines is a memo
to us: "On the Meredith Seal is the Latin word
for light. It is for this we seek. We, as Meredith
girls, are 'Daughters of Light.'"
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Cleo Glover Perry's resume reveals a woman who, as she
took her diploma in 1945 with much personal and
academic success, also took with her a promise — a
commitment to stay closely associated with her
alma mater. She made a clear choice to ensure
that Meredith continues to inspire and develop
future generations of young women.
Citing Dr. Mary Lynch Johnson, Dr. Keith and
others as instrumental in the development of
her confidence and leadership abilities, Cleo
now goes on to help instill those qualities in
others. She has served as Alumnae
Association President, Director of Alumnae
Affairs, chair for numerous committees,
and has developed a scholarship fund.
There is a garden honoring her name just
outside of the Gaddy-Hamrick art building
on campus.
In her 30-year career as a teacher, Cleo's
commitment to supporting young people
has continued to be a lifelong passion.
She cites one of her most meaningful
achievements as being the teacher of an
International Science Fair winner.
Clearly, her signature philosophy has
been that every student, every task,
every challenge is a personal one. A firm
believer that Meredith College is a place
that empowered her to "do more and do it
better," Cleo's work is a lesson in giving.
With endless energy and motivation, Cleo
Glover Perry embodies the tradition of
giving back to the community — a spirit of
service and generosity that asks for no
reward. As in her role as a wonderful teacher,
Cleo's payback, and ours, comes from seeing
the success of the young women who follow in
her footsteps.
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Catherine Moore has devoted her entire career to
opening students to the joy of literature and
writing. After graduating with a major in Art
and minor in English in 1950, Catherine
decided to pursue her minor further into
graduate school. She received her Ph.D. in
English from the UNC-Chapel Hill, and
soon after began teaching at NCSU,
where she remained for 27 years.
Although Catherine taught all levels of
English at NCSU, she took a special
interest in the poor writing skills of
the entering freshmen. She became
the Co-director of Freshman English
Composition and subsequently
geared this curriculum to better
develop the writing skills of new
college students. She also spent
countless hours tutoring frustrated
students and guiding them through
the learning process. It was for this
dedication that Catherine received
the Outstanding Teacher Award
from NCSU, and the Distinguished
Alumnae award from Meredith
College in 1985.
Catherine has since retired from
teaching, but remains active in a
small country church near Pendleton,
where she has been elected the
church's first woman deacon. When
asked what she was most proud of
from her long career in teaching she
responded, "I am most proud of the
hundreds of students who left an imprint
on my life and who now thrive and serve
in their own worlds."
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Marjorie Northrup graduated from Meredith in 1951
As she tells it, Meredith College was pivotal in her
decision to work in the Civil Rights Movement. On a
trip to a student meeting in Nashville, Tennessee,
with black students from St. Augustine's College,
the two groups of students could not stop to eat
together or go to the bathroom together.
Marjorie thought this was absurd and vowed to
do something to change this injustice.
In the 1960s and 1970s she worked in
Winston-Salem helping integrate restaurants,
public swimming pools and parks. She directed
dialogue groups involving 2,000 black and
white parents to help peacefully integrate
the public schools. Marjorie remembers this
as an angry time. Even though her husband
supported her work, he asked her not to go to
jail because of the family's recent adoption
of twins.
For her work in peacefully desegregating
the public schools, she was one of the six
people in the nation to receive an award
from the National School Volunteer
Association. In 1972, Marjorie became a
volunteer at the Reynolda House Museum of
American Art in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina, and in 1 979 was named Education
Curator. She is currently the Assistant
Director of Programs at the Reynolda
House. She was named the Southeastern Art
Museum Educator of the Year in 1986,
which is a great honor in the profession.
Her work as Assistant Director at the
Reynolda House involves a great deal of
responsibility. A main focus for her has been
ensuring that the museum reflects the growing
diversity of the community. She envisions the
space as a place for everyone to enjoy — for a
cross-section of the community and not just the
"elite." She continuously strives to make art
interesting to everyone in the community and to
get a wide variety of voices involved in the
dynamic processes of art.
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Sue Fitzgerald was not apprehensive about entering
into the traditionally male-dominated Southern
Baptist Ministry. A graduate of Meredith with a BA
in religion, she went on to receive a Bachelor of
Divinity degree from Andover Newton
Theological Seminary in 1959. Sue became
one of the first women ordained as a minister in
the Southern Baptist denomination, receiving
that honor from Mars Hill Baptist Church in
l 973. Her career has certainly been a busy
and productive one ranging from teaching
religion in public school to coordinating the
Center for Christian Education Ministries, a
resource center for rural ministers. She has
been an asset to the Baptist ministry and
received many honors including the
Women in Ministry Award of the Baptist
State Convention in 1991. She was the
first recipient of the Citations for
Excellence in Christian Ministry from the
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Wake Forest University presented Sue
with an honorary Doctor of Divinity in
l 992 for her excellence in her field.
However, the ministry has not been the
only focus of Sue's life. She also helped
establish a school in Mars Hill, NC for
handicapped children at a time when the
states public schools would not accept
them. She receives great joy knowing that
the school has helped many handicapped
children grow into capable adults. The
school has become a workshop center for
handicapped adults.
For Sue Fitzgerald's courage, hard work, and
commitment to the community and the
Southern Baptist Ministry, she serves as a role
model for all women who have a desire to
spread the Word of God through their actions as
well as their words.
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"Meredith developed a great deal of potential and
encouraged me to try, to risk, to believe that I CAN.
We are not accustomed to hearing from successful
politicians that they are most proud of their role
as mother to their children, but then Betsy Lane
Cochrane is not an average politician. She is an
outstanding person who, as a North Carolina
Senator, works to benefit the educational
system, the children, the environment, and
the elderly of this state.
After graduating from Meredith in 1958,
Betsy became a public school teacher,
which she found very rewarding as she
helped children learn. Her fondest memory
of this time was when she helped a boy
who was having difficulty reading. He
increased his reading grade level from
2.5 to 4.9 through the course of just one
year in Betsys class.
Eventually, Betsy became interested in
politics and, in 1 980, became the first
woman elected from her district to the
North Carolina General Assembly. Just
as she had in teaching, Betsy gave her
new career in politics her all. In 1981 she
was named the Outstanding Freshman
Representative and then later received
the Outstanding Woman in Government
award. Betsy has worked hard to pass bills
for the benefit of the community such as
the elder abuse law and the welfare reform
study. Her strength and determination
enabled her to become the first woman in a
position of leadership in the North Carolina
Legislature as well as to be the first woman to
preside over a Senate Session. She was also
named "One of the Ten Outstanding Legislators
in the Nation" by the National Republican
Legislator's Association. In 1997, she served her
ninth term in office. Meredith salutes Senator
Betsy Lane Cochrane for her commitment to the
community and for serving as a pioneer for women in
the political world.
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By the time Carolyn Barrington Grubbs finished high school,
she never wanted to take another history class. Yet, one
semester of western civilization under the tutelage of
Meredith's Dr. Lillian Parker Wallace changed her mind
and her life. Carolyn received her B.A. in history from
Meredith College in 1 960 and her M.A.T. from Duke
University one year later. From there, she moved to
Atlanta to teach high school. When she later
became part of the Meredith faculty, she said, "I
never dreamed I would teach college, much less
at Meredith."
Carolyn returned to the college as part of the
faculty in 1963 and promptly fell in love with
another new faculty member, Dr. Frank L.
Grubbs, Jr. They were married in 1965 and are
the parents of two sons.
One of her most outstanding accomplishments
was in developing Meredith's social studies
program for prospective teachers. Until the
1 960's, history had been taught as a separate
subject in public schools. At that time curricula
were expanded to include more subjects and
history became one of many topics (including
economics, geography and political structures)
falling under the more general heading of
social studies. The college's program was
outstanding in training students to become
• competent teachers, and Carolyn directed
that program for 32 years.
She says, "Meredith prepared me for teaching
college in several ways: teaching me a love of
history, providing me with models of good
teaching, and giving me the skills with which to
succeed. My education at an all-female institution
empowered me to succeed in my life's work."
Stricken with Parkinson's disease, Carolyn was
forced to prematurely give up the career she loved.
Struggling with the thought of being a person with
disabilities, she chooses to focus on the many
Meredith graduates she has trained to be social studies
teachers. Because she was a teacher of teachers, her
legacy will continue for many years to come.
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When Katherine Weede Griggs was a Meredith student
she was stirred by President John F. Kennedy's call for
volunteers in his newly created Peace Corps.
Shortly after her graduation, and as one of
Meredith's first Peace Corps volunteers, she
found herself teaching English and math to high
school students in India. "I gained tremendous
insight into human nature and the fact that
people are very much alike whatever their
circumstances," she said.
Katherine's success in India eventually led
to her joining the Peace Corps staff in
Washington, D.C, where she was
responsible for coordinating the training
for all Peace Corps volunteers.
After she married William Griggs,
Katherine left her position in the Peace
Corps and began to apply her talents in
her home and community. One of her
accomplishments was as a consultant
for the southern Regional Education
Board. She established the first fully
organized student internship program
for colleges and universities in South
Carolina.
Twenty-five years after her service in
the Peace Corps, Katherine went with
her husband and three children to visit
the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston.
There, in a small theatre, she was deeply
moved to see that she was part of the
film depicting President Kennedy's life.
Footage of her teaching in India was used
to represent President Kennedy's noted
accomplishment of establishing the Peace
Corps and she is the only volunteer shown in
that film.
Active in her community in o variety of ways,
Katherine has been elected and then re-elected
(in Municipal elections, every four years) for the
past 1 9 years as chairman of the Cheraw, SC Area
Education Advisory Council.
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Jennie Lancaster graduated from Meredith in
1971 with degrees in religion, sociology
and psychology and then continued her
studies at Duke Divinity School and NC
State University Ms. Lancaster's wide
area of interests have proved useful in
her career with the North Carolina
prison system in which she has made
history as the first woman to work
directly in treatment services for
male offenders, and the first female
command manager. Lancaster's work
in the prisons began in 1971 at the
Polk Youth Center, where she was
placed as the first female summer
intern. Since then, she has risen to
Superintendent of the Correctional
Center for Women, where her goal
is to "empower female offenders
to gain control of their lives, their
environment, their feelings, and to
accept responsibility for their
behavior." Ms. Lancaster's career
of "female firsts" has gained her
much acclaim. Some of her awards
and recognition include the George
Randall Memorial Award as North
Carolina's most outstanding young
correctional officer, delivering a
Meredith commencement address,
and appearing on Oprah to discuss
the NC prison system, which is a
model for other states. Ms. Lancaster
has represented Meredith well not only
by achieving her goals in a rigid, male-
dominated field and giving extensively
to the community, but by returning to the
campus to give workshops and lectures.
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Ellen Barney Williams studied voice and religion at Meredith,
taking her degrees in 1 972. Ellen expected to have a career
as a full-time church musician until she realized her passion
for performing. She went on to graduate school in pursuit
of what she loved, hoping to one day teach voice at a
college level. This hope led her to The New England
Conservatory, where she obtained her masters degree
in music. Ellen then became an adjunct professor here
at Meredith for a few years before attending Florida
State University, where she studied and received her
doctorate in Music.
Among her accomplishments, Ellen considers her
greatest to be in performance. She is proud of the
work she has done with duet partner Terry Rhodes.
They have performed on the North Carolina and
South Carolina Touring Artists Rosters singing for
people who are perhaps not well-acquainted
with 20th century American duet music. She and
her partner have also commissioned works to be
written for them from many composers, most of
them based here in North Carolina. Their CD has
been reviewed nationally as well as in Poland.
During her travels, Ellen and Terry have performed
in Carnegie Recital Hall, a milestone in her career.
One special memory for Ellen is a reception
after a recital in Italy. At the reception she spoke
at length through a translator to an elderly man
who wanted to tell her how much he enjoyed her
singing. This meant a great deal to her.
Meredith taught Ellen to be disciplined and work
hard for what she wanted. She acquired interest in
many things and learned to appreciate diversity.
Jane Sullivan and Bea Donley were both influential
figures in Ellen's college days, and they continued to
support her in her career. Ellen believes that her
experiences at Meredith empowered her in ways she
didn't fully realize at the time. Looking back, those
times mean more to her today, now that she is part of
the Meredith College staff. She currently serves as
coordinator of vocal studies here at the college. Her
advice to Meredith women: "Nurture all facets of your
being and give yourself a chance to experiment and grow
without judgement."
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Carol Fantelli graduated from Meredith in
1 977 with an art degree and went on to
use her love of sculpting in a most
unusual way. After reading the book
Gorky_Park in 1982, Fantelli was
drawn to the profession of forensic
facial sculpting, which involves
recreating the face of a deceased
individual based on evidence
from the crime site and a medical
examiners report. Her interest
prompted her to contact the SBI
(State Bureau of Investigation),
who directed her to a forensic
reconstruction artist in Texas.
She studied a videotape that he
gave her until she felt confident
enough in her skills to practice
on eight skulls obtained from
the state medical examiners
office.
Now, she works professionally
as a forensic artist, a career
she calls "a combination of
science, art and intuition." One
work of which she is especially
proud, Sauratown Woman, was
featured in a 1994 issue of
National Geographic.
After taking a writing class
through Continued Education at
Meredith in 1995, Fantelli had a
novel published, entitled The face
Finder The book is fictional but
draws on experiences from Fantelli's
career. Carol Fantelli describes the
appeal of her unique career by saying,
"For me, it's a way of giving back so that
somebody, a soul, could be put to rest."
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In her brief career as a teacher of dance at
Enloe High School, it has been Betsy Ward
Hutchinson's proudest accomplishment that
she has been able to inspire young people.
Betsy touches their young lives and
instills a love for the art of dance.
Betsy felt comfortable in the academic
setting at Meredith and gives credit
to Merediths emphasis on educating
strong and confident women. She
was inspired by a number of her
teachers, particularly the dance
professor Sherry Shapiro.
In a recent project with all Wake
County dance teachers, Betsy
collaborated on a work entitled
A Teacher Is. This work involved
students and teachers and was
performed at Enloe High School,
Meredith College and other
venues. Another project joined
dancers and musicians, students
and teachers to create a work
entitled Peace Like a River. Betsys
students recently performed this
work at the Durham Arts Council.
She helped organize the Alliance
for Dance program to celebrate
the 1 998- 1 999 "Year of the Dance"
at Meredith College. Betsy has
recently taken a teaching position
at the Cary Academy where she
teaches students at the middle and
high school levels.
Betsy feels privileged to be established
in the community as a professional
choreographer, a teacher and an artist.
Her timeless advice to current and future
students: "Be what you believe you can be -
there is always a way!"
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On October 24th, 1914, a remarkable person was
bom, Sarah Lemmon has taken the world head on and
is not stopping. To date, Sarah has received a
degree in social studies, a Masters and a Ph. D. in
history, and in 1 99 1 , at age 77, she received a
degree from Meredith College in art history.
She was the first to achieve a degree in art
history at this school. History is her first
love, that and passing on what she has
learned to others. Dr. Lemmon was the
head of the history department here at
Meredith for 1 5 years. She then went on
to head up the continuing education
department for five years. But it is the
love of history that has taken her around
the world and given her some of her
fondest memories. These memories
include sitting alone on the steps of
the Parthenon in a white pleated dress
and waiting 40 years to climb the
highest ancient temple in the forests
of Guatemala.
One of the most recent changes Sarah
has made with her life is being
involved with the Episcopal Church
where she lives. She said that she has
always had an interest in philosophy
and theology, but it was not until she
received her last degree and moved to
Southern Pines that she got so involved
in the church. In 1995, at age 81, the
Rev. Dr. Sarah Lemmon was ordained an
Episcopal Minister.
The Rev. Dr. Sarah McCulloh Lemmon is a
very thoughtful, kind and warm woman. She
is the perfect example of lifelong learning.
She has worked hard and kept her goals in
mind to achieve all that she has wanted. She is
constantly looking toward future experiences
and new adventures. When asked for some words
of advice for Meredith women she simply said, "Be
all you can."
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On a September morning in
1913, Ellen Dozier Brewer and her
mother boarded the "Shoo-Fly" in Wake
Forest for the 1 8-mile journey to Raleigh,
where she would start her college career.
Meredith College was still in downtown Raleigh
when she began. Not only was she around to see it
move to its present location, but she would be
around to watch the small college grow and expand
for 40 years. Meredith became her home and its people
her Family.
Ellen Brewer, the daughter of the former Meredith president
Dr. Charles Edward Brewer, graduated from Meredith in
1918. Her degree was in home economics and she went on
to complete two years of graduate study at Columbia
University. In 1922 she came back to Meredith and became
chairman of the department of home economics. She did further
graduate study at the University of Wisconsin, Cornell
University, Iowa State University and Oregon State College. She
also studied abroad several times. Ellen held her position at
Meredith until her retirement in 1966. The home economics
department in Brewer Hall and the Ellen Brewer Home Management
House hold testimonies to her hard work and dedication. The Ellen
Brewer House was donated by Talcott Wait Brewer to Ellen
because of her outstanding accomplishments in her field.
Organizations outside of Meredith College were also important
to Ellen. She served in several offices of the North Carolina
Home Economics Association, including the presidency, and held
membership in the American Home Economics Association. Ellen
was also involved in the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, active in
the WMU work, served on the board of deacons and as the \ f-^„
superintendent of the Beginner Department of the Sunday school
On top of all these responsibilities, Ellen was always active in
the Raleigh Chapter of Meredith Alumnae and in the general
Alumnae Association.
Ellen Dozier Brewer has been described by a friend and co-
worker as "a person of intelligence, tenacity and utter
unselfishness." Meredith College and the community that
surrounds it were fortunate to know Ellen Brewer. She
worked hard and cared a great deal about the job she did
and the people around her. Words of her own shed light
about her feelings toward Meredith and her life here: "I
don't know how much credit is really deserved when
one works in the field she likes the best in the place
she loves the best."
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Margaret Craig Martin
graduated from Meredith in
1930 with degrees in Latin
and English. She took courses at
Wake Forest University, Peabody
College and Columbia University,
where she received her master's
degree. She says, "Meredith College
gave me the opportunities for leadership
and advancement that I would not have
had." Margaret's involvement and devotion to
Meredith have continued throughout her life.
Living on campus when her husband became
the business manager at Meredith College,
Margaret fondly remembers being a housewife
and a mother during the early years of his work.
After her husband passed in 1956, President
Campbell asked if she would take on a position
teaching Latin at Meredith. This began her career
as both a teacher and a college administrator.
Margaret also became involved as an alumna and
eventually took on the position of Director of
Alumnae Affairs. During her time as director, US
Steel awarded Meredith for the most improved
annual giving for all the colleges in its category in
the United States. She recalls that "everyone was
very proud of this accomplishment." Margaret
was also on the board of trustees and served as
President of the Alumnae Association. She says,
"receiving various honors from Meredith were
proud moments for me that I did not envision as a
student." The Margaret Martin garden that is next
to the Alumnae House was one such honor given
to her by Meredith in thanks for her hard work
and dedication.
Margaret feels that "Meredith prepared me
well for later life." She remembers Dr. Mary
Lynch Johnson as a wonderful teacher who
encouraged memorization. Her advice to
Meredith women is to work hard, but don't
forget to have fun. She encourages students
to keep working with the activities that
stimulate their mind and thought
processes and to appreciate the
practice of memorization.
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Eleanor Davis, a 1932
Meredith graduate, is well-
known regionally for her eye-
catching, impressionistic paintings.
Surprisingly, Eleanor did not begin
painting until the age of 47, when her
four children were in school. Already an
accomplished floral arranger, Mrs. Davis
first developed her skill in painting floral
designs, later gaining much recognition for
her landscapes, seascapes, and portraits. Her
signature style reflects impressionistic strokes
and vibrant colors. Eleanor creatively integrated
her work with her family life, often using her own
grandchildren and friends as subjects.
Eleanors artistic life extended to the community. She
served as President of the Associated Artists of
Winston-Salem in 1962. She also organized Art
Gallery Originals, where her paintings were featured in
five special showings between 1963 and 1980. She
exhibited widely throughout the Southeast with 1 5 one-
woman shows. Two of her paintings were purchased by
the NC Art Society for the loan collection of the NC
Museum of Art. She has won numerous prestigious
awards as well. One of Eleanors striking portraits hangs
in the Art Department here at Meredith.
Her greatest admirer and supporter is husband Egbert,
who loves to tell humorous stories about her work. He
says, "Eleanor loved to paint children, and was totally
absorbed in her work. What happened to me one day
makes the point clear. Eleanor had left for the summer
to paint in Florence. Before she left, she invited me to
spend a few weeks of my own summer vacation with
her. Most of the summer had come and gone before
I could get away. But on the appointed day when I
arrived, I didn't find her at the palazzo apartment
near the Arno River, so I started looking. I quickly
found her in a nearby park sketching a child.
'Hello, Eleanor!' She glanced up and waved to
me hurriedly, but continued right on rapidly
sketching and did not look up again until she
had finished several minutes later. Then
she came over to give me a welcoming
kiss! I thought, first things first."
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When Grace Wooton
was attending Meredith, she
had no intentions of becoming a
teacher after graduation. In fact,
she wanted to become a missionary.
However, during her senior year a few
words of encouragement from Dr.
Freeman planted a seed that flowered into
an outstanding career for Grace. Dr. Freeman
told her, "One day you will make a good
teacher." And Grace certainly did not prove
him wrong
After graduating form Meredith in 1934 with a
degree in religion, she went on to get her masters
degree in vocational home economics at UNO
Greensboro. She taught vocational home economics
until 1963, when her life began to take a different
direction. For the next seven years, she devoted herself
to children with mental disabilities. She began teaching
these students in Davie County with only one class.
She expanded the program over the years and after
retiring was honored by the Davie County Association
for Retarded Children for her work.
During her life, Grace has always thought that education
has served her well. She feels that "the values one
receives at Meredith live with one forever." She
served as chairman of the Scholarship Fund and has
helped send at least four girls from her home town on
to graduate from her alma mater. When she was not
teaching or helping others to receive an education,
Grace helped to better her community by serving in
numerous clubs and on boards. She worked as a
matron at the Baptist Orphanage, the educational
director at another and has served as a volunteer
for the Foreign Missions.
Grace was once asked, after her husband died, if
she ever got lonely. She replied that it would be
impossible with all of the special memories she
has, especially from Meredith, which helped
her daily to continue her extraordinary life.
Through her special skills in teaching,
Grace has given many wonderful
memories to students who would
have otherwise been denied
access to an education.
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Many of the women who
graduate from Meredith leave
a mark on history in some way;
Sarah Watts was such a woman. She
left an indelible mark not only in the
historical landscape of this school, but
also in the state of North Carolina Mrs.
Watts graduated from Meredith in 1 934 with
degrees in English and history and went on to
receive her Master's of Political Science at Duke
University.
She has taught history and shared her love of
genealogy and Meredith College with many. She
was Chair of the Meredith Board of Trustees as well
as President of the Alumnae Association. She even
helped to make the research for this project possible
since it was she who funded and initiated the historical
collections that can be found in the Harris Room of the
Carlyle Campbell Library. Up until her death, she worked
on filling the class boxes that are located in the Harris
Room. Mrs. Watts gave many gifts to her alma mater, the
most precious of which was her time.
Throughout her life she was submerged in a love of history
and involved in numerous clubs and activities that allowed
her to explore the past. She was an officer for the
Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of
the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association.
Before her death in 1 984, Governor Jim Hunt named her
chairman of the Randolph County Committee for
America's 400th anniversary.
Even with all of her historical projects, Mrs. Watts and
her husband raised two sons while restoring a 150-
year-old house listed in the National Register of Historic
Places under the name "Wavern." In 1 969 she received
a well-deserved Alumnae Award from Meredith. Mrs.
Watts once commented, "The college's most valuable
history can be found in the midst and hearts of all
who have passed through her doors." And thanks
to this remarkable woman, much of the invaluable
recorded history of this campus can be found
because of her boundless effort to preserve
it. The mural committee owes Mrs. Watts our
thanks, for we have used her class boxes
often to help write these biographies.
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Say the word teacher at Meredith
College and one of the first names to
come to mind for many students is Dr.
Norma Rose of the English department.
However, her teaching duties ran a gamut of
constituencies from Meredith students who
respectfully called her Dr. Rose, to "little folk" in the
First Baptist Church Sunday school who adored her
as Miss Norma, to "mature" students who were proud
to be known as "Dr. Rose's Disciples." She was once
quoted as saying, "I get the strength from these little
folks on Sunday to face my critical students at Meredith
during the week."
Betsy Short, who was a junior when Dr. Rose retired, wrote
the following for Meredith, the college magazine: "In class,
Dr. Norma Rose barely exceeds the height of the podium,
but her strong resounding voice echoes in the halls. One
day, she is Hamlet, the next, Lear or even Puck. While the
dramatis personae change from day to day, Rose remains true
to her role as a teacher....."
Dr. Rose graduated in 1 936 from Meredith, where she earned a
Bachelor of Arts in English. Called "Red Rose" by her peers during
her student years, she was known as one of the ringleaders who
climbed to the roof of the dining hall during a collegiate prank.
She earned a master's degree from the University of North
Carolina and a Ph.D. during World War II from Yale University.
After a teaching career at Meredith that lasted 46 years, she
began offering courses through the Continuing Education
Program. She taught a variety of literature and grammar courses
from the years 1 986- 1 996, as someone said, "beginning with
Shakespeare and ending with Shakespeare." She taught until
two weeks before her death, making sure, as her strength failed
her, that her last students had materials and study guides to finish
the course without her.
In addition to all of her teaching, she edited the alumnae
magazine for 25 years and a book, Chapel Tolks By Carlyle
Campbell, which was published in 1 996. Dr. Betty Webb, in
a tribute to Dr. Rose, had this to say: "In an age of getting
and spending, she affirmed thinking and being. In an age of
compromise, her spine was unbending. In an age of feeling,
she stood firm for the therapeutic value of clear thinking.
In an age of popularity, she cast her lot with principle.
About Norma Rose we feel as Wordsworth did about
her beloved Milton — our age has need of her to
teach us, again and again, 'manners, virtue, freedom,
power' — to say nothing of good grammar."
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Margaret Parker has been a
devoted and influential alumna of
Meredith College. She graduated in
1938 with a bachelors degree in primary
education. Since then, she has not only
remained involved with Meredith affairs but also
with many other community activities.
Margarets volunteer work has reached many people in
many places. She is most proud of her involvement in her
church, where she worked to establish the Mission Memory
Fund. Through this fund people make donations in memory of
their loved ones and the funds are used to support the work
of missionaries around the world. Margaret also volunteers at
Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, where her work with
terminally ill patients has proven to be one of the highlights of her
community involvement. In one incident, she befriended an elderly
minister dying of cancer whose family was having difficulty
accepting the situation. Margaret talked with him every week. Just
before he died, his wife and son thanked her for all she had done.
As an alumna, Margaret has been involved with Merediths Heritage
Society, the Forsyth County Chapter of the Alumnae Association as
president, and as vice president of the general Alumnae Association.
However, her greatest honor and accomplishment was having been
elected chair of the board of trustees at Meredith College. She is
especially proud that during her tenure "Meredith began the process of
changing its charter to separate from the Baptist political turmoil and
reclaim its integrity." Receiving an Alumnae Award in 1 990 and being
named Philanthropist of the Year in 1 996 were also great honors for her.
Margaret, her sisters and their uncle also made possible the construction
of the Weatherspoon Physical Education Building in 1 970.
The experiences Meredith provided Margaret inspired her to strive for
high standards. She feels that Meredith gives women "the opportunity
to excel academically and to develop leadership skills." The teachers ((/// // /
that had the most impact on Margaret were Dr. Canaday, Dr. Mary V V £~-CLLr2-L*rL5^foO Of
Lynch Johnson and Dr. Alice Keith. Dr. Canaday's teaching allowed her '
to enjoy math more than she thought she would. She pursued her math
education and got a job after college as a bookkeeper. Margaret
remembers Dr. Keith as having the ability to "make history come to
life." Dr. Johnson worked with and encouraged Margaret
through her English courses while being sensitive to her
dyslexia, a disability that was not widely recognized at that
time. Margaret feels her education at an all-female institution
certainly made her more confident. She wants Meredith
women to recognize the fact that "at a single-sex school,
young women are given the opportunity to prove to
themselves that they have abilities on their own.
They are given the freedom to excel without the
concerns or distractions associated with co-ed
situations."
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Many painters wonder
if they will be able to
financially support themselves
with their talent. After graduating
Meredith in 1 938 with an art major,
Mrs. Decker had no intentions of turning
to her artistic talents for financial support.
However, when her husband died of
leukemia she supported herself and her
three children from the money she received
for her art. Today she is known as one of the
most outstanding portrait painters in the nation.
Her portraits hang in corporate buildings, houses,
^ museums, art centers, state capital buildings,
0 churches, hospitals, and libraries. She has even
cu presented two of her portraits to former Presidents
Q Ronald Reagan and George Bush in the Oval Office
at the White House.
She received national attention when commissioned by
the Butler Institute of American Art to paint miniature
portraits of seven U.S. presidents. In 1 993 she finished
^, the portrait of President Bill Clinton, which was the sixth
~~k in the Butler collection. Even though Mrs. Decker considers
her presentations of these presidential portraits her most
>-, outstanding accomplishment, she looks closer to her
JZ home in Vienna, North Carolina to recall her moment of
greatest satisfaction as an artist. She fondly remembers
a day when students were visiting the Parkersburg Art
_ Center and were instructed to stand in front of the
q painting they liked the best. All of the children stood in
front of the portrait she had done of her daughter Julie.
Mrs. Decker also looks to her alma mater to discover
the roots of her inspiration in becoming an artist. She
acknowledges her teacher, Miss Ida Poteat, as an
inspiration since she encouraged the students to do
their "own thing" and let the women "represent
themselves" in their works.
In her life, Mrs. Decker has done over a thousand
portraits and continues to keep herself busy by
painting privately commissioned portraits. She
usually paints late at night and thus averages
about five to six hours of sleep. Not minding the
lack of sleep, she has found that art provides
her with profound relaxation.
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Rosalind Knott Harrell was
born and raised in Granville
County. She and her twin sister,
Rebecca Knott McKinley, grew up
dreaming of becoming missionaries. The
two attended Meredith College and in
1951 graduated with bachelor of art degrees
in religion. After Meredith, they attended the
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and
Woman's Missionary Union Training School in
Louisville, Kentucky. From there, they began their
missionary work to Africa.
Rosalind and her husband, Reverend Ralph Harrell,
moved to Kenya in September, 1958, and conducted
work in parts of East Africa for 37 years. She considers
one of the most significant aspects of her career was
adjusting to living in a cross-cultural context, which
entailed learning another language and another people's
world view. The Harrells managed the Baptist assembly of
East Africa from 1964-1970 where Christians from all
over Africa came for training, conferences, retreats and
workshops. They helped start churches in the Limuru area and
Nairobi where Rosalind taught Sunday school and helped
with evangelistic work. She has written biblical literature for
the women's groups of local churches while working with the
Kenyan women in that area. Today, Rosalind says she is most
proud of her three children and their families as well as their
continued commitment to the Christian message. She and her
husband live in Ceder Grove, North Carolina.
In remembering Meredith College, Rosalind and Rebecca
spoke of the influence of Dr. Ralph McLain. Rosalind recounts
his teachings as giving her "a perspective on the biblical
message that has been invaluable" as she has attempted to
teach and share this message cross-culturally.
Rebecca Knott McKinley and Rosalind Knott Harrell look
back on their Meredith experience as years that reinforced
qualities of honesty, truthfulness, tolerance and diligence.
They understood the power of learning and, in an all-
female environment, felt encouraged to strive toward
leadership positions. Their words of advice, although
written on separate continents, are similar; they advise
us to give adequate attention to the development of
ourselves as whole persons. Rosalind urges us to
enjoy ourselves, make lasting friendships and
"commit ourselves to growing spiritually lest we
graduate with a plethora of skills, but be impotent
to contribute healing to a hurting world."
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Rebecca Knott McKinley
graduated from Meredith
College in 1951 with a degree in
religion along with her twin sister,
Rosalind Knott. She and Rosalind then
attended the Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary and the Women's Missionary Union
Training School in Louisville, Kentucky. Rebecca
recently moved back to North Carolina after
many years of teaching in Africa. As a teacher and
administrator in a theological college in Zimbabwe,
she is proud to have had the privilege of helping to
train men and women who are today involved in
Christian ministries in six countries as well as America.
Knowing that some of the African men and women she
has taught now surpass her in ability and academic
achievement continues to be a source of pride. She has
edited preschool Sunday School materials that have been
published in numerous African languages, and has edited
English and ChiShona editions of six discipleship-training
booklets. The most satisfying part of her career has been
providing hospitality to people from various nations and
strata of society. Rebecca, like Rosalind, has three children
who say that they found a multi-cultural environment both
challenging and rewarding.
In remembering Meredith College, both Rosalind and
Rebecca spoke of the importance of their relationships with
faculty and fellow students. The influence of Dr. Ralph McLain
was mentioned by both of them as priceless. According to
Rebecca, "He made learning exciting and motivated [us] to
go beyond course requirements." Rebecca and Rosalind
both reiterated the advantages of an all-female college -
it gave them many leadership opportunities which they
continued to use during their careers in missionary work.
Rebecca encourages us to take advantage of the library,
which contains "a wonderful world of learning." She
reminds us "to develop mentally, spiritually, emotionally,
socially and to establish good health practices."
Rosalind and Rebecca are examples of how the strong
educational foundation established at Meredith can
extend to others and last a lifetime.
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"The college opened up
for me the life of the mind."
-An Oral History of
Meredith College
The first time Phyllis Trible ever
encountered a group of women
with doctorates was at Meredith
College. Through the example of
these female professors, Phyllis
was encouraged to pursue her own
education in religion, the subject she
loved most.
After graduating from Meredith
College magna cum laude in 1 954,
Phyllis went on to study at Union
Seminary and Columbia University,
where she received her Ph.D. in 1963.
Phyllis became a professor, herself, at
Wake Forest University and Andover
Newton Theological School.
In 1978, her interest in feminist issues
and the Bible led her to write a ground-
breaking book entitled God_a_nd_the
Rhetoric_oiSexua_ljty. In 1979, Phyllis
became the first woman Baldwin
Professor of Sacred Literature in the
history of Union Theological Seminary.
Her research continued on sexism in
the Bible and she wrote another highly
respected book entitled Texts of
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Biblical .Narratives, A pioneer in
feminist interpretations of the Bible,
Phyllis remains today a gifted
author, brilliant professor, and role
model for young women embarking
upon their educational journey.
Jean Cooper, a 1 954 Meredith
graduate, slill holds many ties with
the College, her strongest connection
being the Alumnae Association, of
which she was president from 1986-
1 988. Serving as Regional Director of the
association and a former member of the
Board of Trustees, she also serves as Vice-
President of Friends of the Library.
Being in constant contact with so many alumnae,
Cooper saw the need to preserve the significant
memories of the College and acknowledge the
many community contributions made by Meredith
graduates. She compiled An Oral History of
Meredith College Alumnae, which consists of 25
hour-long cassette tapes. This also served as her thesis
for a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (a degree she
was the first to receive) from Wake Forest University.
Not only was this thoroughly enjoyable for her, but it also
encouraged her to take on many leadership positions
down the road. In 1985, Cooper served as general
chairperson for the Winston-Salem Area Visions
Campaign, and in 1 99 1 she was county chair-person for
the "Second Century Challenge: Honoring our Heritage-
Expanding our Vision." She also compiled An Oral
History of the Medical Center Guild, a group with whom
she has held membership for 30 years, at Wake Forest
University Baptist Medical Center.
Cooper, an accomplished organist, has worked in several
area churches. She is also the manager of Meadowbrook
Farm, where she lives in Winston-Salem, NC This 1 64-
acre, cattle, horse, and tree farm is just one more of her
challenges. Cooper travels extensively, visiting South
America and Alaska, and journeying to China and
Indonesia on medical missions. Living in Germany for
a year, due to her husband's involvement in the army,
has given her a broader view of the world and
encouraged her independence.
Thinking back on the honor of receiving the 1 99 1
Alumna Award, Cooper comments, "The place that
had given me so much had prepared me for many
fortunate opportunities." She encourages all of
us to "take advantage of these once-in-a-life-
time experiences," and to remember that "the
sisterhood will be yours forever."
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Whenever people talk
of Rebecca Murray, they are
always certain to mention one,
specific word: enthusiasm. Becky
had enthusiasm for everything she
did, whether it was teaching, writing,
acting, or fighting for what she believed in.
After graduating from Meredith in 1 958,
Becky went on to earn her masters degree
in education from UNC-CH, and then her
Ed.D. from Duke in 1 973. She began teaching
at Meredith in 1 974 and remained there as a
loved and respected professor until her death in
1992. She served as the Chairman of the
Education Department from 1977-1982, and
was named President of the Friends of the Carlyle
Campbell Library in the Spring of 1992. Becky
was also a frequent cast member for Meredith
Performs and played her parts with that unending
enthusiasm characteristic of her.
Becky has also paid Meredith a great service
through her research and writing on the beginnings of
the college. She has gathered extensive information
on "The Immortal Ten," Merediths first graduating
class. Her research about the beginning of the Carlyle
Campbell Library led her to write a book entitled This
Essential Pari, which documented the first 1 ,000 books
acquired by the library.
In addition to being very active at Meredith, Becky
also served the greater Raleigh community through
her participation in the Raleigh Transit Authority and
support of the SPCA. As Chairman in 1990, she
launched an expansion of bus routes to reach 90% of
the city's residents, compared to the original routes
which reached only 60%. In addition to Beckys love
of helping people, she also loved her furry friends
and actively supported the SPCA. One year she
even cooked an entire Thanksgiving turkey and
took it to the SPCA pound for the animals.
Her students will remember her for her challenges
that pushed them to be the best they could be;
her colleagues will remember her dedication
and enthusiasm for teaching; and her friends
will remember her love for others and for life
itself. And it is certain that everyone who
knew Rebecca Murray will not forget her.
It is an honor to every Meredith student
to have her listed among the Colleges
alumnae.
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"My years at Meredith College
shaped my life's work," says Gail
Williams O'Brien. "Through the female
professors at Meredith, I witnessed
strong, independent women who had
their own careers and control over their
own destinies." Inspired by such examples,
Gail completed her B.A. in History at
Meredith as a Tulane scholar, then went on to
take her M.A. at Tulane and her Ph.D. at the
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her
life's work as a scholar and academic was set.
She taught at North Carolina State University for
over 20 years and, although she never planned to
enter academic administration, recently became
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Planning and
Faculty Affairs in the College of Humanities and Social
Science at NCSU.
Gail has authored several works including a recent
book entitled The Color of the Law: From Lynching to
Legalities in the Nineteen Forties South. Eight years in the
making, it is a work that required tedious reconstruction
and interpretation of documents, interviews and events.
Part of her research involved interviewing several
African-Americans who were involved in an attempt to
prevent a lynching in 1 946. Hearing and recording their
words left a strong impression. She says, "Such events
serve as sharp reminders that seemingly ordinary people
have such extraordinary qualities that they aren't in fact
ordinary at all. . .it would behoove us to listen, not just to
the words of others but to the feelings that underlie them
and give them meaning."
She sometimes doubted that her voluminous collection
of research would ever be a "whole piece," but with
the help of her supportive husband and daughter, she
persevered. In the midst of her more-than-busy
schedule, the advice she gives to current students
is: "Take time daily to sit quietly, to breathe deeply,
and to love well."
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Ellen Kirby attributes her leadership
abilities to her experiences at Meredith
College. "I gained the confidence to be a
leader and to believe women can do anything , . .,"
she says. Since her days at Meredith, she has shown
a continuous interest in movements for social change.
In 1969, Ellen obtained her masters degree in religious
education from Union Theological Seminary. She taught
elementary school in West Harlem, then joined the national
staff of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
For more than two decades she managed the social justice
programs of this board. Her work involved such issues as
women's concerns, child advocacy, peace, human rights, racial
and economic justice, and environmental education.
She often shuttled between New York and Washington, DC, and in
1 986, while serving as the head of the Social Action Department
of the United Methodist Board, she attended briefings with Oliver
North regarding US support of the contras in Nicaragua. Because
she had taken "verbatim" notes on the conversations between North
and church leaders, she was interviewed by numerous press and
appeared on the ABC and NBC nightly news. Her notes became
part of the congressional hearing about whether Oliver North,
President Reagan and Vice President Bush might have been involved
in any illegal activity in Nicaragua.
Ellen is a published author as well as the producer of a film entitled
Women, Amen! which won the Golden Eagle Award for motion pictures.
Yet, Ellen considers her second career as her best. "I believe that my
transition to a second career and the founding of a new program in
community horticulture in Brooklyn, NY is my greatest accomplishment.
I feel this is my calling even though I have no professional training in
horticulture ... To see the excitement and community pride that is
generated and the response of neighborhood children to the chance
to develop gardens in their neighborhoods (neighborhoods which
have the fewest parks and green spaces per capita in the nation) is
fantastic. The children love the flowers, the soil, and the worms!"
"As Director of Brooklyn GreenBridge, the community horticulture
program of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, I have had to utilize
all my background in planning, administration, public policy,
sociology, and community organizing "
Those who know Ellen refer to her as accessible and generous
with both her time and many talents. And of her only son,
Matthew, Ellen says, "Raising him is probably my most
tangible accomplishment."
Ellens life choices are testament to the value she places
on recognizing a need and then doing something
about it. She is indeed a woman of compassion,
competence and action.
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Mary Watson Nooe graduated from
Meredith in 1 969. While at Meredith, and
studying for her degree in mathematics, Mary
was involved in the Democratic Party on campus
and she was the managing editor of the Twig,
Mary fondly remembers many relationships she
made at Meredith with both students and faculty.
Many of these friendships have lasted past graduation
and are still supporting her today. Since graduation,
Mary has had many outstanding accomplishments.
In 1979, Mary started her own business called "William
and Mary Recyclists." She began another recycling program
called "Recycle Raleigh" for food and fuel in 1 982. She also
started a pilot-recycling program for Boylan Heights in 1 983 in
which she did much of the work by herself. By the time she was
elected to the Raleigh City Council she was able to engineer
curbside recycling. She also helped to organize the first
Hazardous Waste Day in North Carolina in 1988.
Issues concerning domestic violence and homelessness have also
been a part of her public work. In 1 994, she was elected President
of Women in the Municipal Government of North Carolina. Here the
focus of her tenure was domestic violence. Mary helped create a
domestic violence unit in the Raleigh Police Department. She also
helped to engineer transitional housing, and in 1 995 she helped to
organize "Christmas in April," a non-profit organization involved in
repairing owner-occupied housing for the elderly, the disabled and
the poor. Along with these issues, Mary is proud to have been part of
the renovation of Memorial Auditorium and is still interested in more
projects to beautify Raleigh. She currently hosts the radio program
Cityline and the cable access show Citizenship. Both shows discuss
city issues and encourage community involvement. She holds a deep
interest in the possibilities of Raleigh's future and is planning to run
for City Council again in 1 999.
Mary's years at Meredith helped her to understand the importance
of leadership. She feels that an all-female school enabled her to
become a leader. She also realizes the importance of supporting
and being supported by other women. Many influential teachers
and mentors stand out in Mary's mind. Dr. Dorothy Preston,
Francis Stephens, Mary Bland Josey and Bruce Heilman, past
president of Meredith, are just a few who encouraged and
supported her through her years at Meredith and beyond.
Mary Watson Nooe is proud to be a Meredith alumna. She
says that the foundations of her skills to be a leader were
instilled in her at Meredith. The feelings of her years here
are reflected in her statement: "Clearly, the leadership
skills that I was encouraged to develop at Meredith
were the best preparation I could have ever had."
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Carolyn Howard Carter
graduated from Meredith in
1 973 with bachelor's degrees in
history and religion. She continued
her education, going on to receive a
masters degree in history from Wake
Forest and a master's degree in public
administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Carter is the first woman to serve as an
Assistant Manager in Raleigh and the
first female President of the North
Carolina City and County Managers
Association. An accomplishment of which
she is particularly proud is her work to help
produce a textbook used by NC high schools
to teach students about local government,
and a set of lesson plans for third-grade
teachers in NC. These efforts were based on
Carters belief that "in order for a democracy
to survive, children must understand how a
democracy works."
Carter has given back to Meredith College
and the community extensively. In 1 996, she
was selected to the YWCA Academy of
Women and in 1 997 she gave the Meredith
graduation address, speaking on the rich
traditions and legacy of the school. She also
served as Vice President and a member of
the Board of Directors of the Alumnae
Association.
The wish Carter has for women attending
Meredith now is that they "cherish
every moment and carry with them the
wonderful legacy of which they are a
part ... the Meredith Sisterhood."
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Linda Mckinnish Bridges
stands out as a strong female figure
in a male-dominated profession. In
1 975, she graduated from Meredith with
a BA in Religion. From there, she achieved her
Masters in Divinity and her Ph.D. in New
Testament and Greek from the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary. Linda was the first Southern
Baptist woman to earn a Ph.D. in these concentrations.
She has also received certification in Mandarin Chinese
from the Taiwan Language Institute in Taiwan, where she
spent time as a missionary. Her background and positive
experiences at Meredith served as the foundation for her
career accomplishments.
Linda feels that Meredith was the culmination and genesis of
so many good things in her life. She remembers Dr. Ralph
McLain as a teacher who broadened her mind as well as her
heart. His invitations to come into his study both at school and
home with his family to read and talk about interesting places and
ideas encouraged her love of learning. "I still try to teach with his
energy and love for students," she says. Linda also learned to play
the pipe organ at Meredith, which advanced her appreciation for
music. The college provided Linda with the attitude that women's
leadership is truly good, acceptable and worthy of emulation. The
memories of the women's community at Meredith along with her own
strengths and beliefs have kept Linda going through many years of
opposition in a male-oriented environment. She was refused ordination
J twice and opposed by many representatives of the clergy. Linda says,
; "When they said that women cannot, I would remember that at
- Meredith we DID."
| Now ordained to the Gospel Ministry in Richmond, Virginia, Linda is
' most proud of her founding a new educational community, the Baptist
Theological Seminary at Richmond. Also, a project which links her
experience at Meredith to her professional career was the founding
and development of the Center for Women in Christian Leadership. She
is proud of these two communities for their emphases on women's f\ f\ flfr
empowerment and education. Linda considers the birth of her son Kyle <C^J V\ d_J\ lYlYZLS}
Mckinnish to be her most outstanding accomplishment. V "
After Lindas first year at Meredith, she and her parents considered a
transfer because they were concerned about the costs. A community
leader learned of their dilemma and for three years added a little
money to their account. Because of his generosity and confidence
in Meredith, she was able to stay. At his retirement dinner, she was
asked to speak, and for the first time, Linda honored him publicly
for this wonderful gift. This account still exists today for needy
students.
"Don't miss a thing" is the advice Linda gives to Meredith
women. "We should explore the world of women: women in
art, women in poetry and film, women in business, women in
religion and women in education and politics." This is her
encouragement to us because "there will never be another
place where you can explore these issues in so nurturing
an environment as Meredith College."
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There is something electric about
Broadway. One never leaves the theater
without experiencing the magic. What makes
this energy flow so freely from the cast to the
audience so that the memory is etched in our minds?
This question prompted an interview with one of
Merediths own graduates who has made it big on
Broadway. It is immediately apparent that Beth Leavel
carries that Broadway magic within herself — she is
charismatic, full of life and in love with the professional path
she has chosen.
An accomplished Broadway actress, dancer and singer, Beth
presently resides in Bergen County, NJ, with her husband John
Milne and two children. She was born and raised in Raleigh, NC.
She graduated from Broughton High School and received her
degree in sociology from Meredith College. Ms Leavel furthered
her education with an MFA at UNC-Greensboro.
This successful alumna made the decision to pursue a career in theater
during her senior year at Meredith. At that time, a degree in theater
was not offered. Beth performed in many campus plays as a junior and
senior including The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Come Blow Your Horn,
Blithe Spirit, The Bald Soprano, and Cabaret. She credits Linda
Bamford, a Meredith professor and Catherine Rogers, her best friend
and fellow classmate, as the greatest influences on her aspirations.
Every actor has her first break, and Beth's came after she read for a
comedy audition and received such a positive response that 1 4 agents
phoned the next day and offered to represent her. This led to the part
of understudy to Lucy Arnez in / Do, I Do. That exposure enabled her to
be cast in 42nd Street on Broadway, and to perform in its National
Touring Company, which also included a run in Japan.
Beth played Tess in the original cast of Crazy for You, and considers
this to be her greatest professional accomplishment. In 1995 she
played the role of Ellie in Show Boat. She has performed in 14
regional and national commercials, and has landed parts on Ryan's
Hope, As The World Turns, and Nickelodeons Yours Truly.
Beth also choreographs. She has worked at UNC, Meredith and
local dinner theaters. Most recently, she has donated her time to
choreograph the Meredith student performance of Irene.
Looking toward the future, Beth hopes to continue performing
original musicals, and would love to have the opportunity to
perform material written specifically for her. When asked
what advice she might give to Meredith women, Beth
emphasizes the fact that you can have it all. She
believes that we should "follow our dreams, and not
try to fit into anyone else's mold." In her own life,
Beth appears to have done this.
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Maureen Kacsur
Banker's experience
as a Meredith College
student determined for
her that she would aspire to
the teaching profession.
After graduation, she took a
position at Ravenscroft School
in Raleigh, where she headed the
art department. She eventually
went on to complete an M.A. in
printmaking.
In 1988, Maureen taught her first
course at Meredith. She sought to
return to her students some of what
she had gained here. In 1990, she
became the Director of Galleries at
Meredith and, in this position, brought a
collection of Henry Moore originals to
the Frankie G. Weems Gallery.
In the course of Maureen's prolific career
as an artist, she has exhibited in dozens
of group and solo exhibitions in the
United States, Italy and France. She has
donated 200 etchings to the city of
Sansepolchro, Italy. Eighteen of these
are in a permanent installation in the
15th century Town Hall. Additional
works are included in collections in
North Carolina, Massachusetts, and in
Florence and Tavarnuzze, Italy.
To current Meredith students, Maureen
offers these words of advice: "Help
each other. Women help women.
Nurture whatever stages of life you
are currently enjoying — whether
privileged traditional-age student,
young family keeper or grand-
mother. Meredith College is a
preciously diverse union of
women with the potential to
change the world."
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Ginger Mauney attended Meredith
College and graduated in 1983 with a
Bachelor of Arts in political science and a
minor in economics. After graduation, she
lived in New York City organizing professional
and amateur tennis tournaments for Capitol
Sports. However, her life took a turn when she
decided to go to Africa and pursue filmmaking.
In 1 990, Ginger arrived in Africa with $2,000 and an
instamatic camera. With help from friends she made
during a previous trip to Africa, she got a job working on
a documentary about birds. From there she worked with
Jen and Des Bartlett, whose nature films include the
National Geographic Special "Survivors of the Skeleton
Coast." Her most outstanding accomplishment to date is a film
in which she was the principal writer, cinematographer and
sound recordist entitled "Baboons: Against the Odds." Ginger
spent four years in close contact with the desert-dwelling
baboons. She feels privileged to have been accepted by them
and that it was "an act of extraordinary trust on the part of the
baboons and a true gift in a world where the interests of man and
animals are so often at odds." Working with her during this film
was a veterinarian, Conrad Brain, whose study of the baboons
provided the basis for that film and whom she recently married. The
documentary was nominated for a Wildscreen (the "Green
Oscars") award for Best Newcomer. In this, her first independent
attempt in the business, she has reached hundreds of millions by
airing on PBS in the United States and in over 40 other countries.
Gingers strong background, and love of filmmaking and wildlife
have led her info a world of accomplishments including work as a
producer/cinematographer for Paramount Production, National
Geographic and Partridge Films. The past two years, Ginger has
completed another film entitled "Legends of the Bushmen" for the
TBS series WildlLife Adventures. This film shows the lives of Africa's
most ancient people. One of her most memorable events came
from her time spent with the Bushmen. The last night she was on
location she was allowed to participate in a trance dance.
Dance is their highest form of prayer and this dance was to
inspire healing to a sick member of the community. The next day
she was told that she was the first outsider ever allowed within
the fire circle.
Ginger grew up with three sisters, a wonderful, strong mother
and a support system of grandmothers and great aunts. She
says, "Attending Meredith was a natural extension of the
support I've always known was so invaluable in a family of
women." She also says the English department gave her "a
wonderful grounding in and appreciation of the magic of
language and all forms of communication." Gingers
advice to Meredith women is to avoid complacency
and to always embrace change. She tells us that
"only by exploring unknown and even fearful new
places can we discover exciting new worlds."
1
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Joan Bunting always had an
interest in travel. After taking
her degree in biology from
Meredith in 1985, she decided
to broaden her horizons. She felt
that the Peace Corps would be the
ideal way to combine travel and
work. She joined up and spent the next
27 months as a public health volunteer
in a Zairian village. Her duties included
health education related to nutrition for
women and babies.
Joan found integration into another culture
to be an intense learning experience. She
wore the clothing of the natives, ate their
food and learned their language. She also
polished up on her French, which was the
language of the educated in Zaire. The
lack of running water, electricity and
transportation did not dissuade Joan. At
the end of her first 27 months, she chose to
renew her contract with the Peace Corps.
In 1991 Joan was again in Zaire, this time
working on a ten-month contract with
USAID to study measles vaccines which
could be given before the usual age of nine
months.
Joans interest in learning about the basic
life practices and philosophies of the
African culture has served the people of
Zaire well. For the cultural education she
has received, she has given back a
healthier population.
Bunt
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Anita Wafers Alpenfels is an alumna
of Merediths music department who
has gone on to great accomplishments.
Anita received her Bachelor of Arts in Music
from Meredith in 1 9 8 5 and a Master of Arts in
Music in 1991. Since then, she has completed
her certification in Curriculum and Instructional
Supervision at Campbell University. Anita is an
award-winning singer, pianist and organist who is
now involved with arts education.
Anita describes her years at Meredith as invaluable.
She feels that "without the education and training I
received at Meredith, I do not believe my current position
would have been a possibility in my own mind, much less
anyone else's." Meredith gave her the confidence to strive
toward her goals and embrace a belief in lifelong learning.
While she is proud of her own achievements in educational
positions, she is most proud when former students pursue the
field of education as well.
The teachers Anita worked with while at Meredith had
everything to do with her current role in arts education
administration. She was encouraged to major in music
instead of just using her talents toward a minor in her degree.
She approached every class with great importance. In her
opinion, she cannot recall any professor that did not fake his or
her task seriously. She remembers specific instructors such as
Dr. Lynch, from whom she learned perseverance and attention
to detail, and Dr. Vaglio who taught her that sometimes the
best learning takes place when it's so much fun you don't even
realize it's happening. Dr. Page also taught her how critical it
is to be prepared to perform even those jobs you think you
will never face, and Dr. Cochran instilled in her the power of
debate and the ability to agree to disagree. One of Anita's
fondest memories comes from her undergraduate years at
Meredith when she was the president of the student chapter
of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. She
was encouraged to ask Mrs. Billiegene Garner to speck
at one of the meetings. After that first meeting, Anita
would go on to work for Mrs. Garner and eventually
assume her role as Director of Arts Education for
Moore County Schools. She attributes her experience
at Meredith with helping her establish that first
contact. Meredith College encouraged Anita to
express herself and reach out into leadership
roles. She feels that Meredith provided a safe
place for her to grow. Her advice to women
attending Meredith is to take advantage of
every moment. "If learning is viewed as
an opportunity, rhe importance of
every class will become evident."
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Dr. Yvette Brown always had
the desire to become a physician.
As a child, she saw herself as wanting
to be a provider of health to individuals in
her community. When she was deciding on
what undergraduate institution to attend she
said, "I was looking for a sense of community, a
place that instilled responsibility, a place that
would provide confidence and determination and a
place with a strong academic background." Yvette
Feels that she found all of these things and much more at
Meredith.
As a student at Meredith, Yvette was her Freshman Class
President, she took part in the Barber Science Club, Student
Life Committee and the Student Foundation and was on the
varsity volleyball team. Academically, she felt she never had
the opportunity to hide behind other students or get lost in a
crowd in any of her classes. Her professors encouraged
everyone's opinion to be heard and considered. This instilled in
her the confidence to stand up and be heard in all discussions.
Seeing others around her grow at Meredith also inspired her to
become a more confident woman. Yvette feels her experiences at
an all-female institution forced her to find herself and her niche in
society. She describes the faculty at Meredith as having an
"excellence with regard to their diligence in teaching the future
leaders of the world." The education Yvette received from
Meredith allowed her to stand toe to foe with individuals from
other institutions and assert her knowledge with confidence and
vigor. Her daily interaction with administration personnel and
faculty encouraged her to express her opinions. Dr. Clara Bunn set
the foundation for her scientific background and Dr. Dorothy
Preston taught her to think more analytically.
Today, Yvette feels blessed by all that has happened to her
both during her time at Meredith and since. While at medical
school, she received awards for her outstanding achievement,
including a full scholarship for her medical school tuition
after her first year. She is currently working in obstetrics and
gynecology at an Indian Service Hospital in Philadelphia.
This career fulfills her childhood dream of helping the under-
privileged. Yvette wants Meredith students to know that
"the experiences and education gained at Meredith open
a world of opportunities to every woman who allows
her mind and soul to become absorbed in this nurturing
community. This will allow you to go anywhere in the
world and be anything you desire." She also
encourages Meredith women to "use the
resources that are available from professors
to administration to friendships; all will last
a lifetime."
1
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Renee Winter tells her
students, "If you're really
talented in something, you
need to honor that talent and
give back." Renee has embraced
that philosophy since graduating
from Meredith with a degree in art.
She went on to complete a master's
degree and now teaches Visual Art
to high school students and Art
Appreciation to college students. She
takes great pride in the achievements
of her students and goes to great
lengths to ensure that they have the
chance to exhibit their work. She often
calls the news media to come and report
on her students' exhibitions and does
anything possible to get recognition for
them. Their successes in art inspire self-
confidence and often this leads to success
in other areas.
Renee credits Dr. Bailey with teaching her
about the dynamics of human learning and
interaction. She has put this knowledge to
use in her own classroom. She wants her
students to recognize their potential just
as she learned to recognize her own. She
feels that her education at Meredith has
prepared her for "ethical leadership as an
artist and as an art educator."
To Meredith students, Renee gives these
words of advice: "Women who attend
Meredith College have the opportunity
to emerge as strong citizens to help
shape a world in serious need of
well-educated women. This is a big
opportunity — use it well ... an
awesome responsibility — honor
it well."
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Barbara Goodmon entered
Meredith College at the age of 45
through the Continuing Education
Program. Working as a registered nurse,
she decided she wanted to go back to school
and get a degree. In 1 994, Barbara graduated
from Meredith magna cum laude with a degree in
history. She feels that attending Meredith College
gave her the confidence to be a stronger leader in
the community. Barbaras involvement in community
activities began over 22 years ago.
As an advocate for the homeless and poor, Barbara has
served on the Salvation Army Board for 20 years, chairing
the board for three years. She is the First and only female so
far to serve as chair of the Raleigh Salvation Army Board.
Ten years ago, Barbara organized the Salvation Army
Christmas Committee, which now involves approximately
2,000 volunteers and families and has brought Christmas to
over 3,000 children in our area. As a member of the Wake
County Human Services Board, she focuses her attention on
food lines, shelters and substance abuse treatment programs
Her concern also includes coordinating and collaborating public
and private agencies in dealing with these issues. She helps to
organize these agencies' efforts so that their help is efficiently
distributed amongst the community. In the spring of 1998, she
was involved in organizing a Wake County Community Forum
which brought service providers together to communicate and
collaborate. The second annual forum has been scheduled for
March of 1999.
Barbara Goodmon has recently been inducted into the Academy
of Women for Human Services. She feels that her experiences at
Meredith have opened many doors for her. Two people who
were important teachers for Barbara were Frank and Carolyn
Grubbs, She remembers Carolyn particularly as an influence
during her college career. As an alumna, Barbara has served
on the Board of Associates at Meredith for three years and is
currently on the Board of Trustees. She continues being
involved because of the passion she developed for Meredith
as a student. Barbara is now in graduate school at NC State
University working toward her Masters in Liberal Studies.
As an outstanding leader in our community, Barbara
Goodmon's efforts never tire. Her humanitarian work has
spanned two decades and reached many people in our
area. Barbara feels the confidence she gained at
Meredith could not have come from a co-ed school.
Her advice to Meredith women: "Take advantage
of every academic and social opportunity that
Meredith has to offer. You never know where
an opportunity may lead you."
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Elizabeth Dotterer graduated
from Meredith College in 1930.
She then attended the University of
Pennsylvania where she received her
M.D. in 1 939. In 1 949, Elizabeth came
back to Meredith to deliver a speech at
the annual meeting of the Meredith College
Alumnae Association. She opened her
speech by reminiscing about her days at
Meredith. Chemistry classes with Dr. Mary
Yarbrough, and physics with Dean Boomhour
were where she felt she started her medical career.
She said, "These teachers disciplined me and
inspired me to continue to prepare for my ultimate
goal — the practice of medicine."
It was in Pennsylvania that she met her husband, who
was also a doctor. They moved back to Sanford, NC,
where they both opened private medical practices.
Elizabeth was one of the first women doctors in this
area. Both were known throughout their community for
the kindness and humanity they showed toward their
patients, friends and neighbors. As an active member
of the Meredith Alumnae, Elizabeth was the first alumna
to act as President of the Board of Trustees. As an extra
honor, she learned that she was the first female to serve
in this position at any North Carolina Baptist College.
Elizabeth also served on the Executive Committee as a
member and Vice President, and she was elected
President of the Alumnae Association.
Elizabeth James Dotterer was proud to be a doctor
and proud to be part of Merediths growth. When she
retired as a trustee, she mentioned many steps
Meredith had taken forward while she was there.
New buildings, renovations, teachers' salary
increases and raised graduation requirements
were just a few accomplishments in which
Elizabeth took part. She continued to encourage
others to make Meredith even better. With the
spirit and drive of alumnae like Elizabeth
Dotterer, Meredith has continued to grow and
remain an outstanding college for women.
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Ida Howell Friday has spent
her life helping others- Her passion
of learning came from her mother, who
taught high school in Lumberton, North
Carolina, for 34 years. As a Meredith student,
Ida achieved a B.A. in Home Economics in 1 94 1 .
Professor Ellen Brewer was Ida's most influential
teacher at Meredith. She also considered her a friend.
Ms. Brewer would take an enormous amount of time to
work with the students individually, sharing her knowledge.
Concerned with all of her students, she worked to stimulate
them to do their very best.
After graduating from Meredith, Ida went on to the University
of Chapel Hill where she achieved her Masters of Public Health
in 1948. From 1948 to 1 952 she worked for Carolina Power and
Light as a Home Economist and at the University of Chapel Hill as
an Instructor and Workshop Director in the School of Public Health.
Since then, Ida has been a part of countless memberships dealing
with a wide variety of issues concerning our area and state. To list a
few, her memberships have included being the President of the Chapel
Hill Preservation Society and a member of the Executive Committee
for the Children's Home Society of North Carolina. Ida has also served
as a member of several Boards including the Community Church in
Chapel Hill, the League of Women Voters, the NC Museum of Art,
Central University and the Hospital Auxiliary of UNC-Chapel Hill. For
30 years, Ida served as hostess of the Presidents home at UNC-CH,
where her husband, Bill Friday, was Chancellor and later President of the
UNC system. Presently, Ida is still on active member of her community as
she is taking part in six organizations dealing with issues on women, the
arts, health and public television. For the past 25 years, Ida has been
honored a dozen times for her actions as a community and university
leader. She and her husband have had college buildings and centers
named after them at UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte and UNC-
Wilmington. Ida went back to school at UNC-Wilmington, achieving
her LID in 1992.
Her husband has written "being at Meredith gave Ida a marvelous
exposure to public affairs and public service, being in the capital
city and participating in college government activities." Meredith
encouraged Ida to be self-confident through a systematic way
of study and preparation, an assurance that proved beneficial
in her career and public activities. Her association with
Meredith College and remembrances of Ellen Brewer have
helped to sustain her throughout life, allowing her to be a
participating and vital part of her community. Perhaps
her words of advice to Meredith women would be
the same that she received from Ellen Brewer a
half-century ago: "Qualify yourself to serve
your fellow man and do so with a joyful
heart and to the best of your ability"
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